1927
Irma
2024
Irma Oleson Small
May 2, 1927 — December 7, 2024
On December 7, 2024, Dolly “Irma” Small left us here on earth to finally join her beloved mother, father, husband, son, and siblings in Heaven. Dolly epitomized class and grace and was one of the toughest people we have known. She was funny, witty and sarcastic. She spared no quarter when expressing herself and that was one of her endearing qualities. It was the caring and love she gave others that so many will remember Dolly for.
She was born to Geraldine and Otto Oleson on May 2, 1927, in Jefferson, NH. She was raised on the family farm and boarding home. Her home is where the Jefferson Christmas Tree farm now stands. She had 5 siblings at the farm, Tate, Judy, Otto, Norman, and Topie. All of them worked the farm and helped Nana run the boarding home.
After high school, she married her sweetheart, John Henry “Pops” Small. They were married for over 60 years until he died in 2010. Together, they had two children, Gwendolyn and Michael.
As a mom, she was loving and gracious. She spent most of her life working extremely hard to help provide for the family while keeping the family together through several moves because of John’s job. As a mother and an aunt her hard work provided her children and their cousins the ability to enjoy wonderful summers on the lake with lasting memories.
In 1973, Dolly and John moved to North Conway and built the family homestead and their home for the past 50-plus years. Shortly, thereafter they were joined by Gwen and her son Michael. Pops and Gram provided a home that included love, great life lessons, and the value of hard work. During this time Dolly was the greatest babysitter anyone could have. She was funny, always had plenty of great snacks and we would watch old movies together.
That is the grandmother we will always remember, and the one that showed the same kindness to her other grandchildren. As a great-grandmother, she enjoyed sneaking snacks to them because in her words, “That’s what grandmothers are for.”
Dolly is survived by her daughter Gwen, her grandchildren Michael, Courtney, and Eoin, her great-grandchildren John and Andy, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will held this spring with family.
The Baker-Gagne Funeral Homes of Wolfeboro and West Ossipee, NH are assisting the family with the arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolences or for more information go to: baker-gagnefuneralhomes.com
She was born to Geraldine and Otto Oleson on May 2, 1927, in Jefferson, NH. She was raised on the family farm and boarding home. Her home is where the Jefferson Christmas Tree farm now stands. She had 5 siblings at the farm, Tate, Judy, Otto, Norman, and Topie. All of them worked the farm and helped Nana run the boarding home.
After high school, she married her sweetheart, John Henry “Pops” Small. They were married for over 60 years until he died in 2010. Together, they had two children, Gwendolyn and Michael.
As a mom, she was loving and gracious. She spent most of her life working extremely hard to help provide for the family while keeping the family together through several moves because of John’s job. As a mother and an aunt her hard work provided her children and their cousins the ability to enjoy wonderful summers on the lake with lasting memories.
In 1973, Dolly and John moved to North Conway and built the family homestead and their home for the past 50-plus years. Shortly, thereafter they were joined by Gwen and her son Michael. Pops and Gram provided a home that included love, great life lessons, and the value of hard work. During this time Dolly was the greatest babysitter anyone could have. She was funny, always had plenty of great snacks and we would watch old movies together.
That is the grandmother we will always remember, and the one that showed the same kindness to her other grandchildren. As a great-grandmother, she enjoyed sneaking snacks to them because in her words, “That’s what grandmothers are for.”
Dolly is survived by her daughter Gwen, her grandchildren Michael, Courtney, and Eoin, her great-grandchildren John and Andy, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will held this spring with family.
The Baker-Gagne Funeral Homes of Wolfeboro and West Ossipee, NH are assisting the family with the arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolences or for more information go to: baker-gagnefuneralhomes.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Irma Oleson Small, please visit our flower store.
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