Laura R. Botelho

Laura Raye Botelho, née Bennett, 79, of Manchester, NH died on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at the Catholic Medical Center, in Manchester, NH.  

Laura was born on April 11, 1945, in Tilden, NE, the daughter of the late Wilson and Anne (Gaddican) Bennett.  She married Robert Lee Botelho (Bobby) on December 14, 1969, and spent the next 20 years as a military spouse raising her children on K.I Sawyer Air Force Base in  Upper Peninsula, MI.  Upon Bobby’s retirement in 1988, they returned to his hometown of Manchester where she worked in the dietary department at Catholic Medical Center for more than a decade.

Laura and Bobby were married for almost 40 years; they enjoyed weekend driving trips, browsing yard sales, collecting figurines, and listening to country music.  Laura enjoyed volunteering at Family Services when she was a military spouse, supporting a variety of charities, and telling stories.  Her passions were knitting, crocheting, and donating thousands of hand-made blankets to new mothers, charities, family, and friends.  She was thoughtful, generous, caring, and took great pride in spoiling her grandchildren.

Laura is survived by her three children, Michael Botelho (and Tamara Nedjar), of Melrose, MA, Tracy Botelho, of Manchester, NH, and Devona Jackson (and Christopher) of West Chester, PA; by her three grandchildren, Ryan Jackson, Amanda Jackson, and Gabriel Nedjar; and by her sisters, Marlene Anderson of Livingston, MT, Joan Miller of Neligh, NE, Nancy Baker of Hubbard, NE, and Shirley Nielson of Center City, NE.

SERVICES: A graveside service will be held at a later date at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, in Boscawen, NH.   

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Neurofibromatosis Incorporated (www.nfnortheast.org) at 9 Bedford St, 3^rd Floor, Burlington, MA 01803 (781-272-9936) in memory of Laura Botelho.

Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium assisted the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to https://phaneuf.net/