Lois Earnshaw

Lois Marie Earnshaw, our precious wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully Friday evening, April 19, 2019 in Manchester, New Hampshire. She was born July 19, 1930 in Hollywood, California, to William Walker and Katherine Redding. Lois grew up in Southern California and graduated from Bell High School in 1948. A convert at age eighteen to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she married William A. Earnshaw on November 21, 1951, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They have shared a life filled with the love of their family and service to others.

Her greatest joy was found in her six children; Jan Fellow of Phoenix, AZ, Craig Earnshaw of Park City, UT, Mark Earnshaw of Cape Elizabeth, ME, Scott Earnshaw of Bedford, NH, Sue Gillespie of Alpine, UT and Beth Harper of Georgetown, MA. Lois and Bill are immensely proud of their 30 grandchildren and 58 great grandchildren. She never missed a birthday or an opportunity to play a game or read to a child.

Lois and her family lived in Whittier, California, Sudbury, Massachusetts, Huntsville, Alabama and have lived in Bedford, New Hampshire since 1972. She and Bill served two church service missions; to Quezon City, Philippines (1989-90) and Sydney, Australia (1994-95). She and Bill also served in the inaugural presidency of the Boston Temple (2000-03) where she was the Assistant Matron, and continued to work in the Temple where they served and uplifted others.

An active member of the community, she enjoyed associating with others. She and Bill were active in the Bedford Historical Society where they are past board members. Music enriched Lois' life. She was accomplished pianist, often accompanying others in their musical numbers, and taught piano lessons for many years. She performed with Church choirs at the 1964 New York World's Fair and the dedication of the Washington DC Temple. More recently she directed the Elliot Hospital Voluntairs.


Lois was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and loved her Savior deeply. Her heart was full of gratitude and charity. Whether in leadership or ministering one-to-one, she profoundly expressed her love of the Savior in very deed.

Her funeral will be at 11:00am, April 23 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 105 Wind Song Ave, Manchester, New Hampshire. Visiting hours are 6:00-8:00pm on Monday, April 22, at the Phaneuf Funeral Home, 243 Hanover St., Manchester and 9:30-10:30am at the church before the funeral. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Lois' life and faith.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome in her name at the Bedford Historical Society.