Pauline F. Kenick, R.N. (ret)
Pauline Fifield Kenick died peacefully in her home on May 2, 2016, at the age of 106. Born in Hudson, she was formerly of Nashua, Exeter, and St Petersburg, FL. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held in the chapel of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford, on Saturday, May 7, at 11 AM. Visitation will be prior to the service from 10 until 11 AM. Burial will follow in the Exeter NH cemetery, Arbor St entrance, at 3:30 PM.
Polly was born on November 26, 1909, daughter of the late Pliny and Mina (Waldron) Fifield. She was a graduate of Nashua Public Schools and the 1933 class of Exeter Hospital Training School for Nurses. Her student nursing experience is memorialized on the "Wall of History" at the present Exeter Hospital; her student uniform and memorabilia are included in the Exeter Historical Society’s collections. Polly’s lifelong career as a registered nurse ended with retirement from the Lamont Infirmary of Phillips Exeter Academy, after service at Exeter Hospital, Rockingham County Home, and the Exeter Red Cross. As a Red Cross District Nurse, Polly taught community health classes and provided home nursing services, including home-delivery of babies!
Mrs. Kenick was married to the late Joseph L. Kenick Sr. for 51 years. They raised three children in Exeter, where Polly was secretary of the Nurse’s Alumnae Association and an avid EHS Band Booster. As a communicant of Exeter Methodist Church, she was active in the Sunday School and Daughters of Susannah. She was also a member of Orient Chapter #22 Order of Eastern Star.
In 1971, Polly and Joe retired to St. Petersburg, FL, where Polly spent the next 28 years enjoying crafts, travel, the Salvation Army Home League and many friends. Both she and Joe were devoted to their children, grandchildren, their toy poodle, and Siamese cat.
Polly returned to NH at age 90 to be near her children. Living with daughter Lois in Lyndeborough, she quickly became involved with the Lyndeborough Improvement Society and their civic projects. When an apartment became available in the Edgewater Estates, Polly relocated to Wilton. She enjoyed being part of the community and continued to serve others, knitting tiny sweater sets for premature babies and helmet liners for deploying soldiers. She especially enjoyed playing keyboard in jam sessions at Nelson’s and the various community meals put on for senior citizens, as well as making Christmas gift bags for recipients of "Meals On Wheels." Being presented with the Boston Post cane as Wilton’s oldest resident was a huge source of pride, and Polly shared her recipe for longevity. She believed one needed good genes, useful work to do, and something to look forward to.
Surviving her are her niece, Norma Swenson of Newton Centre MA; son, Joseph L. Kenick Jr. (Simone Allard) of Exeter; daughters, Lois Kenick of Lyndeborough and Ann Carlson (Arvid Carlson) of Irmo SC; grandchildren Joseph L. Kenick III, Catherine L. Tomlinson (Clive Tomlinson), and Bethany Carlson (Jordan Cormier); and three great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, Pauline was predeceased by her sister Edith Fifield Eldon, sis-in-law Nellie K. Meras, daughter-in-law Betty Jeanne Kahn Kenick, and granddaughter Pamela Joy Carlson.
Memorials may be made to Corpus Christi Food Pantry & Assistance Inc of Nashua and the Salvation Army of the Greater Nashua Area, including Wilton.
The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care of Hospice at HCS, from Keene and Peterborough.