Thelma Mae Garstang, 94, of Merrimack, NH passed away on Sunday, March 26 ^th , 2023 at her home after a period of declining health.

She was born in Reading, MA on January 2 ^nd , 1929 to the late John and Ada (Gabery) Sears. She was raised in Reading, MA and moved to Merrimack in 1963.

Thelma was a former President of the Merrimack VFW Post 8461 Auxiliary, member of the Merrimack American Legion Memorial Post 98 Auxiliary and of the Merrimack Senior Citizens.  She was an avid Boston sports fan and faithfully attended all of her children's sporting events whenever she could.  She formed and operated the snack booth for the Merrimack Men's Softball League for many years.  She also was an avid Cribbage player and formed a cribbage league here in Merrimack that has continued on for several years.  Always in the mood for a little gambling, she enjoyed visiting Foxwoods Casino, Atlantic City, and was quite the card shark at the family nickle/dime poker matches.  She always cherished her time spent with family and friends, particularly her friends at the Merrimack Senior Citizens club.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Richard Garstang in 2015, two sons, Ronald and Wayne Garstang, and three siblings, Edward and Raymond Sears of Maine, and Beatrice Warren of Florida.

Surviving family members include two sons, John Garstang of Merrimack and Richard "Haus" Garstang of Milford; and daughter Diane Justason of Rock Hill, SC; 9 grandchildren, Garrett Garstang of Nashville TN, Derek Garstang of Harvard MI, Kelly Conway and Kerri Bailey of Stevensville MT, Jason Justason of Merrimack, Heather Huard of Rock Hill SC, Tyler Garstang of Merrimack, Casey Hesse of Rotunda West FL, and Colby Tranfaglia of Wareham MA. along with several nieces and nephews and great grandchildren.

Visitation hours will be held at the Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack NH on Friday, March 31 ^st from 4 – 7 PM. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 1 ^st at 10 AM in the funeral home chapel with burial to follow at Last Rest Cemetery in Merrimack.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Merrimack Senior Citizens Club, 4 Church St. Merrimack NH 03054.