Cora Bresnahan

Cora L. Bresnahan, 85, of Londonderry, and long-time resident of Springfield, N.H., passed away on Friday, April 14, 2017 at the Courville in Manchester, NH.

She was born in Fair Haven, VT on February 13, 1932, a daughter of the late Fred and Golda (Gifford) Reynolds, and grew up on a dairy farm where her adoration for farming and animals began.

Cora filled her life by loving children and animals. She was one of 11 children herself, raised her own five children, was a devoted aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother. For many years, she was known as “Mommy Cora” by the children she raised at her daycare out of her home. The kids would play outside rain or shine. Cora was a seamstress and would make everything from Easter suits for her sons to mud pants for outside spring playing.

Cora will be remembered as the ‘original Betty Crocker.” She taught herself to cook and even became a restauranteur, creating dishes worth driving for including baked stuffed shrimp and award winning pie crust. She was a salt of the earth New Englander who cooked on her own wood stove in the winter, believed in hanging sheets outside to dry in the fresh air, and had a green thumb that raised native vegetables that she preserved and canned in abundance.

Cora’s gentle way with animals started when she was a child helping with the milking every day on the dairy farm. As an adult, she raised goats and became known as the ‘goad midwife’, aiding many mommy goats in bringing their bleating kids into the world. Often, she could be heard calling “babies” from her front porch followed by a stampede of baby goats running from all directions.

She is survived by her daughter, Ami Fish; four sons, Edward Hamel, Daniel Hamel, Stephen Hamel, and Henry Bresnahan; nine grandchildren; three great grandchildren; four sisters, Joan Crucitti, Jane Bellefeuille, Ruth Keech, and Chris Parks; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, George Bresnahan in November 2016, as well as six siblings, Richard Reynolds, Elizabeth Reynolds Hodgdon, Robert Reynolds, James Reynolds, Lenore Reynolds Brown and Legrand Reynolds.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date this year for both Cora and George. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to purchase a goat, flock of chicks or rabbits through Heifer International. You can donate via their website at www.heifer.org and change the lives of families and villages internationally. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium are assisting the family with arrangements. To send a condolence or for more information, please visit, www.peabodyfuneralhome.com