Althea Currier Barker

Althea received her elementary school education in a one room schoolhouse in Danbury, NH. She skipped two grades and graduated high school in Franklin, NH and entered Colby Sawyer College at age 16. At her Father’s urging, she took airplane flying lessons and piloted a 1920’s biplane. Althea graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree with a major in Medical Science. She was employed as a histology Technician at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Nashua, NH for many years and held a real estate broker’s license for 25 years.

Althea and her husband Chester were avid dancers in their younger years and graced many a dance floor with style and flair. Busy raising five sons, she still found time for knitting, baking and serving as a Cub Scout den mother. She enjoyed summer cookouts and house parties in a close neighborhood in Milford, NH during the 1960’s and ‘70’s.

Althea and Chester retired to Concord, NH in 1989 to be closer to her sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Henry Amsden and to be closer to their vacation cabin in North Wilmot, NH. They enjoyed traveling to Europe, North and South Carolina, Nova Scotia and other destinations, making many new friends along the way.

Althea was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1981. Though the disease eventually robbed her of her ability to walk, she stubbornly refused to submit to its symptoms until past the age of 85.

She is survived by her best friend and husband of 64 years, Chester A. Barker also of Concord, NH, her four sons, Gary C. Barker of Concord, NH, Keith R. and Deborah Barker of Amherst, NH, Kent M. Barker of Nashua, NH and Kyle G. Barker of Concord, NH. She was predeceased by a son Kevin R. Barker.

Althea’s last words were spoken to her great-grandchild Rose Althea Barker, age 9 months. She leaves behind eight grandchildren; Christopher J. Barker and Melissa Giaquinta, Michael C. Barker, Rachel A. Barker, Elena A. Barker, Ethan C. Barker, Hannah C. Barker, Nicholas G. Barker and Jonathan T. Barker.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday Feb. 6, at 2 p.m. at the Bennett Funeral Home 209 N. Main Street Concord followed by a burial at Blossom Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Bennett Funeral Home of Concord.