Madeline A. Howarth, 74, of Dover New Hampshire died on December 22, 2011 at Riverside Rest Home. She was born in Somersworth, New Hampshire on April 2, 1937, the daughter of Martin and Mary (McCarthy) Melanson. She attended Somersworth High School and worked for many years as a secretary at General Electric. Members of her family include her three children; Elizabeth, Wilfred, and Valera Ponsonby of Largo, Florida, her surviving brothers and sister; William Melanson of Rochester, New Hampshire, John Melanson of Rochester, New Hampshire, and Lucy Gagnon of Zephyrhills, Florida, and many nieces and nephews. Madeline was a spiritual woman who was active in her church, spoke often of her love for her children, and enjoyed several years living at Waldron Towers in Dover, New Hampshire, making several friends there. She was a supporter of Christian charities and charities supporting United States Veterans. Her greatest joys in life were her visits from her daughter, Valera, and her time spent as part of the family of her nephew, Edward Melanson, with his wife, Deb Melanson, and their children Michael, Adam, and Daniel. She was predeceased by her brothers Martin Melanson of Somersworth, New Hampshire, Clement Melanson of Somersworth, New Hampshire, and her sister, Marie Perrault of Prescott Valley, Arizona. Calling hours will be at Bernier Funeral Home 49 South Street Somersworth, New Hampshire on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ignatius Parish in Holy trinity Church 404 High St. Somersworth, New Hampshire on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 11:00 am with Rev. Michael S. Taylor, pastor as celebrant. She will be buried at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Somersworth, New Hampshire. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.bernierfuneralhome.net Arrangements are entrusted to the Bernier Funeral Home, Somersworth.