Wilma Adelia Garland, 88, passed peacefully at home on March 17, 2025 following a period of declining health.  She was born in East Kingston, NH on April 7, 1936 where she was raised. She was the daughter of George and Wilma “Gertrude” (Webster) Gatcomb.

Wilma attended East Kingston Schools and went on to graduate from Sanborn Seminary.

She was employed at the Exeter Wise Shoe Shop, then went on to work at Exeter Hospital as a Switchboard Operator, Stanley home products and as a bookkeeper at McDonald’s in Rochester, NH.

Wilma lived for many years in Exeter, NH before moving to Lebanon, ME where she met her husband Roland. Roland and Wilma were married in Milton, NH on April 7, 1979, spending their early years in Lebanon, ME before moving to Center Harbor, NH. 

She was a member and treasurer of the Ashland Garden Club, a member and a docent at the Pauline Glidden Toy Museum, a member of the Ashland Historical Society, the Sewing Club, Dupuis Cross Post #15 American Legion Auxiliary, Belknap County Button Club and the Center Harbor Historical Society.

Wilma was a seamstress who made beautiful doll clothes, patchwork quilts and more. She was always working on an embroidery or crochet project. Each year she tied numerous elegant Christmas bows for the Ashland Elementary School’s wreath making projects. She loved the Friday Night Band Concerts in Center Harbor!

Among her numerous accomplishments in life, Wilma was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family will lovingly remember her as being smart as a whip, sharp as a tack and a spit fire. She was beloved and will be dearly missed.

Wilma is predeceased by her daughter Susan (Sargent) Clark, her sister Judy Alvarado and her brothers Robert, Leslie, William and Frank Gatcomb.

She is survived by her husband Roland Garland, her daughter Mary Lou (Sargent) Ciccotelli and husband David of ME, her son Robert Sargent of NH, her grandchildren Maria Ciccotelli-Knight and husband Sean, Jamie Clark, her great grandchildren, Adelina Knight and Kyle Clark, her sisters Rae Mayes of NC, Mary Currier of VA, her brothers John Gatcomb of FL, Jim Gatcomb of NH and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on March 31st at 1pm in the Chapel at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 DW Highway, Boscawen, NH. Arrangements are being handled by the Dupuis Funeral Home, Ashland, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pemi Baker Hospice & Home Health, 101 Boulder Point Dr., Ste 3, Plymouth, NH 03264.