Gwendolyn Niskala

Gwendolyn (Antilla) Niskala, 96, passed away peacefully at Monadnock Community Hospital on December 7th, 2024, after a brief period of failing health.

Born on July 5th, 1928, to Andrew and Marion (Cook) Antilla, 'Gwen' was a lifelong resident of Jaffrey, NH. She shared 50 years of marriage and four children with her husband Waino, until his passing in 1998. She worked as a secretary/bookkeeper at various locations in town. Gwen was a faithful member of the United Church of Jaffrey, proudly celebrating her 70th year as a dedicated choir and Triple-D member. Gwen lived independently at home, remaining physically active throughout her life. Up until a few months ago, she would walk twice a day, always looking up into the trees for birds’ nests or scanning the forest floor for May flowers and Partridge berries. She enjoyed her final walk just three days prior to her passing.

Gwen was best known for her world-famous Gingerbread cookies at Halloween, berry bowls and wreaths at her annual Church Christmas Bazaar, and creating beautiful handmade quilts to commemorate each marriage and baby born into the family. Some of her favorite activities included square dancing, camping, gardening, and weekly Thursday night family gatherings. The grandchildren will always treasure the memories of playing dress-up and kick the can, digging through the toy drawer, frosting their own gingerbread cookies, and trips down to the lake.

Gwen loved her family very much and enjoyed spending time with them fishing, hiking, and sharing her love and appreciation of nature. She will be deeply missed by her children – Alan Niskala, Gary (Yvonne) Niskala, Cindy (Paul) Knight, daughter-in-law Pati (Bruce) Niskala; stepsister Gloria Archambault; grandchildren -- Ellen, Alison, Elisabeth, Elijah, Kaitlyn, Garrett, and Lindsey, several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Gwen is pre-deceased by her husband Waino in 1998, brother Andrew, sisters Ruth (John) Johnson, Shirl (Veiko) Niskala, and Barbara (Albert) Lehtonen, as well as her son Bruce Niskala and grandsons, Bruce Jr. and Andrew.

Services will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 11:00 AM in the United Church of Jaffrey, 54 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452. A reception will be held in the Mildred Cutter Memorial Hall at the Church immediately following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gwen’s memory to the United Church of Jaffrey, 54 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452.

When the time comes, we’ll all meet you on the second star of the Big Dipper. Until then, we will continue to live by your motto —“Keep moving, keep interested, and keep a good attitude.”