Annabelle Horne

Franklin, NH ? Annabelle May Horne, 73, of Franklin, died at Sept. 22, 2010 at Mtn. Ridge Genesis Eldercare in Franklin. She was born in Newport on April 29, 1937 the daughter of Carl and Marion (Page) Horne. Annabelle was 4 years old when she was in an automobile accident with her parents and brother. Her mother died and Annabelle received a traumatic brain injury. Her Dad was unable to care for her and support a family and so Annabelle was placed at Laconia State School, where she lived for 40 years. While at the school she worked in the Keyes Building taking care of the children for many hours per week. The State School has been closed for many years and the folks who lived there are aging, and many have passed away. Annabelle became one of the historians who have been able to tell the story of what life in the institution was like, both for her and for others. During the last 30 years Annabelle participated as a member of the St. Paul's Church, attending Mass each week with the Crowley Family, the people who Annabelle said were her Family. She attended the Trip Center in Franklin and was an avid bingo player and enjoyed the lunches and camaraderie of other Franklin Seniors. She often had meals at the Soda Shoppe, where she had several waitresses with whom she was very friendly and who would notice if she was not there in a few days. She lived at the Damy Drive Apartment Complex and enjoyed friendship with many of the residents who lived there. Annabelle loved to sing and treasured her cat, Smudge. Annabelle received support from Franklin Falls Farm, where she was seen as the ""Matriarch"" of the group. She was helped by the staff at the Franklin VNA and at Riverbend. She was supported by Community Bridges for many years. All of these support groups helped Annabelle to live independently in the community, as opposed to living in a nursing home, which would have doubtless happened without her web of community support. Annabelle was a member of the Lakes Region Self Advocacy Group and of People First of NH. Annabelle's story and the stories of other self-advocates from NH have been shared with people at national conferences and also will be featured in a soon to be published book written by self-advocates to promote ""closing institutions across the country which still house people who have developmental disabilities. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 1st at 10 am in St. Paul Church, Franklin. Interment will be in the family lot in Grantham. Thibault-Neun Funeral Home is Franklin ( www.neunfuneralhomes.com ) is assisting with arrangements.