Fern Jones

Fern Jones, 94, of Merrimack passed away on Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 at Catholic Medical Center, Manchester, N.H. One of nine siblings, Fern was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on June 28, 1926 to the late Jack and Stella (Snow) Parsons. She was raised and graduated from high school in South Weymouth, Massachusetts.

Fern held her family and country above all else. She loved people and often said: “All you have in life are the people you know and it doesn’t matter if you are a pauper or a millionaire.” Fern especially enjoyed and was a patron of music, theater and the arts. She was a patriotic and enthusiastic participant and supporter of local and national politics.

As a member of a musically talented family, she played the trumpet and the harmonica. Music was a constant in her life; she was either listening to it on a radio, or she was singing.

Fern patronized numerous theaters throughout NH, often bringing her grandchildren with her. She ushered for the Palace Theater in Manchester. With her love of acting and the spoken word, she often quoted poetry, which she collected throughout her lifetime.

Volunteering much of her time to the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, Fern eventually enjoyed becoming a Docent. She was also instrumental in forming the Currier Museum Guild of Volunteers and, in 2001, was very proud to be conferred as an Emerita Member of that same guild.

Additionally, Fern served as a town ballot inspector and poll worker for several years and enjoyed meeting and visiting with fellow Merrimack residents.

Fern was a founding member and strong supporter of the Faith Episcopal Church in Merrimack. She sang soprano in the choir and remained an active member of the congregation for many years.

Fern provided physical and monetary support to the American Red Cross, MDA, the N.H. Food Bank in Manchester, Meals on Wheels, as well as RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program).

Prior to moving to Merrimack, Fern had worked as a model, realtor, bank teller, jewelry store clerk and keypunch operator. Fern and her husband raised beef cattle on their property in Merrimack, where they also owned and operated the “Wilson Hill Nursery”, from which they sold Christmas trees.

With her husband, Fern shared a love of trout & salmon fishing. Other interests were target shooting, caning chairs, leather stitching, baking, and in later years, board games and various word puzzles.

Along with her parents, Fern was pre-deceased by her husband, Ralph; two brothers, Jack and Henry and three sisters, Stella, Thelma and Janet.

Fern will be forever remembered and loved by her daughter, Leslie and her husband Ronald Masse; two grandchildren, Laura and her husband, Adam Theokas, and Michael Masse; her great-grandchildren, Dylan, Hunter and Evelyn; brother, William Parsons; her sisters Selina Litchfield and Dawn Shafer; her sister-in-law, Lee Parsons and numerous nieces and nephews.

Due to current public health and safety restrictions, a private service will occur at the Rivet Funeral Home in Merrimack. A true “Celebration of Life” gathering is being planned to take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Fern’s honor may be made to either the Easter Seals Adult Day Program, Attn: Development Department, 555 Auburn Street, Manchester NH 03103 or to St. James Food Pantry, 646 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack NH 03054

To share a memory and leave an online condolence for the family, please visit rivetfuneralhome.com.