Madeline Annis

Madeline Frances (Harwood) Annis passed away peacefully at the Merrimack County Nursing Home on March 16, 2023 with her four children at her side. The day had been spent with her children playing her music, singing her favorite songs, and talking of favorite memories.

“Maddie” was born on September 05, 1924 in Nashua, NH to William H. Harwood Sr. and Katherine (MacDonald) Harwood. She was the youngest of seven children.

Maddie grew up in Hudson, NH and graduated from Nashua High School. On May 24, 1944, she married Harold J. Annis, who was serving in the US Army Air Corps. In 1952 they built the family home in Pelham, NH where she lived for over 60 years.

Maddie was very active in her children’s lives. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, including being a Camp Counselor, a Cub Scout Leader, and a 4-H Club Leader. She was very active in the Pelham Congregational Church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, a Youth Group Leader, a Deaconess and a member of the Women’s Guild. She was active in the Pelham Parent Teacher Association. She also served as a chaperone for the Starlighters Drum and Bugle Corps.

A talented craftsperson, she taught ceramics for several years, was an accomplished seamstress, making most of her young daughter’s clothing, and enjoyed knitting and rug braiding.

Later in life Maddie was an active member of the Red Hats, enjoying varied outings and activities. She was also involved in the Pelham Seniors and worked as a volunteer at the Senior Center Thrift Shop. In her eighties, she was a member of “Curves” exercise club and earned the title of “Mighty Maddie”.

Family was very important to her. For many, many years, she hosted large family dinners and celebrations for every holiday on the calendar including everyone’s birthday. She also enjoyed going out to eat and enjoyed the cooking others prepared for her.

Maddie had a vitality for life. She enjoyed travel and family vacations. She was free spirited, sweet and sassy, yet strong and capable of handling whatever life presented her. She had a deep love of animals, especially dogs. She enjoyed music and loved to dance, earning the nickname of “Cha Cha” at the nursing home.

Maddie was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her six siblings; Augustus C. Harwood, Anne (Harwood) Hannaford, Mary (Harwood) Keene, Agnes Harwood, Katherine (Harwood) Oliver and William H. Harwood Jr. and her son-in- law William H. Glaser Jr.

Maddie is survived by her children: Linda Glaser and partner Glenn Mitchell, Cindi A. Hayden and husband Kenneth Hayden, Jack Annis and wife Kaye Annis, and Susan Stetzler and husband Gary Stetzler, her grandchildren: Courtney L. Glaser, Andrew J. Stetzler and wife Sara K. Stetzler, Corey J. Stetzler and wife Kristi M Stetzler, Samuel J. Hayden and partner Virginia Garland, Nikki L. Stetzler, and Kristen Burden, her great-grandchildren: Sophie I. Stetzler and Skyler K. Stetzler and nieces and nephews.

The family would like to acknowledge and offer many thanks to the folks at Merrimack County Nursing Home and to Granite VNA Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Merrimack County Nursing Home resident’s fund, the Merrimack County SPCA or a charity of your choice.

A private service will be held in the spring.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bennettfuneral.com for the Annis family.