With an entrepreneurial spirit, she owned and operated Armene’s Coffee Shop where you could get a full meal for fifty cents and later Armene’s Travelunch.
She owned two lunch trucks, catered to workers at local factories, auctions and special events throughout NH and VT and it is through these businesses that she first introduced her Original Grinders to the Connecticut River Valley. In 1960, while operating the family chicken farm, she opened her home to foster children. She had children of all ages that were in need of a home. She added daytime childcare to the home as many families began having two working parents. She also was a real estate investor. In 1971 there was a house fire that caused the home to be a total loss. The community pulled together and helped the family rebuild. Starting in 1972, The Laconia and Concord State Hospitals began closing their doors and were looking for homes for the residents. This was the beginning of Armene’s Family Care, providing services at her home in Claremont from 1976 to 1996. She also helped her husband build H.C. Gobin Trucking/Disposal during this time.
Retirement, however was not in her future. She believed she still had more to share. In 1996 she began working for West Central Services in their group homes. She did this until February 2010. She had given 50 years of service to those who needed a helping hand never wanting anyone to go without a home.
Armene was honored for her lifetime of service with two NH State Proclamations, one given by Governor Steve Merrill and the other by Governor John Lynch. She received citations from President Barak Obama, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Armene loved square dancing, bingo, music, family and was a member of the Circle Eight Square Dancing Club.
She is survived by her four sons, Dr. Manuel Sumares and his wife, Clara; George Harrison and his wife Claudia; Dave Gobin and his wife, Bonnie; and Donald M. Gobin and his wife, Joy. Nine grandchildren, David Sumares; Jonas Sumares; Nate Harrison; Julie Harrison; Meredith Gobin; Amelia Gobin Stanfill; Olivia Gobin Williams; Greg Gobin; Elisabeth Gobin and one great granddaughter, Naomi Sumares, Her loving sister, Katherine Schaschl and brother, John Pintello.
She was predeceased by her husband, Harold C. Gobin, on July 9, 2008, whom she married on February 14, 1958.
Visiting hours will be held at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont on Saturday, March 17th, from 10am to 11am.
A Funeral service will be held at the Stringer Funeral Home at 11am with Pastor Joe Gnatek officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Riverstone Church, 739 Main Street in West Claremont, NH.
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