Mary Hope Digby Plante (73) entered eternal rest after a brief illness June 7th, 2026 surrounded by her family. She was born on December 3, 1951, in St. Louis, MO, moving to Anniston, AL as an infant. She spent her childhood in Anniston, AL, where she attended Sacred Heart Schools and Oxford High School. Roll Tide!

During her senior year, she met a young GI who had just returned home. Mary later said she knew the moment she saw him that there would never be another man for her. She married Gerard “Jerry” Plante, and together they built a life filled with love, family, friendship, and service. Mary completed her senior year at Memorial High School in Manchester, NH, after moving north with Jerry.

Jerry and Mary made their home in Candia, NH, where they raised their two children. Mary worked at Sylvania in Manchester for 35 years, forming many lifelong friendships along the way. She was active in her faith, teaching CCD, serving as a lector at St. Paul’s Parish in Candia, and later worshiping at St. Peter’s Parish in Auburn.

A dedicated community leader, Mary became the first female State President of the NH Jaycees. Through the organization, she developed many cherished friendships and led numerous community service initiatives. One cause especially close to her heart was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She took great pride in helping raise funds for the hospital and treasured her visits to Nashville, where she met children, whose lives had been touched by St. Jude’s, as well as its founder, Danny Thomas.

Mary loved to travel and explore the country with her family. Road trips were her favorite, and she delighted in discovering America’s landscapes and history. Her adventures took her along Route 66, to the Grand Canyon, throughout Tennessee, and back to her beloved AL whenever possible. She visited nearly all 50 states, with Alaska and Hawaii among her favorites. A favorite travelling memory is a mother – Daughter trip to the Vatican and Italy in 2001.

Retirement never slowed Mary down! She served as Chaplin for the JCI Senate, Vice Queen of the Red Hats Society Purple Starlets Chapter, Treasurer of the New England Pontiac Club and volunteered as an usher at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. She was devoted to her kitties, with Harvey holding a special place in her heart.

Mary loved live music, especially country music. Her family likes to imagine that after reuniting with loved ones in heaven, she sought out two of her lifelong favorites—Dale Earnhardt and Elvis Presley.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Gerard “Jerry” Plante of Candia, NH; her son, Christopher Plante and his wife, Joni, of Candia; and her daughter, Jacqueline Bristol (née Plante) and her husband, Heath, of Brookline, NH

She is also survived by her three beloved grandsons: Tyler Plante and his wife, Allison, of Winterville, NC; Isaac Plante of Candia, NH; and James Bristol of Brookline, NH Each were her special angels and miracles. She was overjoyed by the anticipated arrival of her first great-grandson, Owen Plante, expected in August.

Mary is also survived by her sister, Catherine Little, and brother-in-law, Randy Little, of Weaver, AL; her brother, Thomas Digby of AL; her sister-in-law, Paulette Grant and her husband, Joe Grant, of Manchester, NH; Denise Plante of Wisconsin; and many beloved nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Ernest Digby, and her siblings James Digby, Carol Ann Digby, and Patricia Digby.

Services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 243 Hanover St. Manchester, NH. Gathering time from 4-6 with a Catholic Prayer Service from 6-7.