Mary Lou

Kleiner

Mary Lou (Griswold) Kleiner, 83, of Fremont, New Hampshire, passed away on Monday November 9th, 2026, surrounded by the love of her cherished family. She was able to celebrate her birthday with her family nine days before her passing.

Born in Adams, Massachusetts on October 31st, 1943, she was the second of two daughters to the late Wallace S. and Evelyn (Best) Griswold.

Mary Lou will be sadly missed but forever loved by her adoring husband of sixty-three years, Kenneth F. Kleiner, Sr. of Fremont, New Hampshire. Her treasured children: Tammy Gluck and her husband, Barry of Newton NH, Kenneth F. Kleiner, Jr. and his wife, Andrea of Hudson, NH, Daniel W. Kleiner and his wife, Amy of Laconia, NH. Cherished grandchildren: Joshua and Jenna Gluck, Christopher and Jonathan Kleiner, Emily Cote and her husband, Drew, and Sophia Kleiner. Niece, Deborah Fougere and her husband, John Fougere. Mary Lou was predeceased by her sister, Mabel Sherman.

Mary Lou was a graduate of Adams Memorial High School, Class of 1961, and continued her education at Becker Junior College, where she earned an associate’s degree. After marrying Ken, they moved to California, to New York then New Hampshire with a short move to Utah before residing permanently in NH. Mom chose to stay at home to care for her children when they were young, leaving a legacy of devotion to and the importance of God, family and community to pass along to her family. She worked as a librarian at Main Dunstable Elementary School in Nashua NH, Boston University in Tyngsboro MA and NHTI in Concord NH. For a few years she served as the church secretary at Trinity Baptist Church in Nashua NH. This was her and the family’s church home for a long time, where she worshiped, learned and served in various capacities. Attending and worshiping in a Sunday morning service, with family, was a cherished time for her and those she loved and continued to do so until recently at First Congregational Church of Kingston NH.

Mary Lou loved Jesus and always lived her life in such a way that others would see the need for Christ in their life, treating others fairly and with dignity - a trait learned from her parents. Her bible is filled with highlighted verses in many places with notes, personal thoughts and reminders of how she could be a light to others and how much God loves us. As much as we miss her, we take solace that she is in his presence and finally at peace.

Mom enjoyed sewing, crocheting, quilting, baking, making crafts and gifts for loved ones, and being with friends. All three of her children have a personalized wedding cross stitch she created with love. She was always offering and willing to help others with a joyful attitude.

Visiting with her family even if just for a short time was when she was the happiest. She was fortunate to witness the marriage of her children and her granddaughter Emily. She cherished all of her grandchildren and prayed for them daily, and had a special, unique bond with each one of them.

Mom loved to explore the seasons of New England. There were frequent trips to visit her parents and in-laws in Adams MA while the kids were growing up. The annual vacation to the Guild’s house on Lake Winnipesaukee were some of the family’s favorite times together as the grandkids came along. Mom loved to visit the beach (with a lobster roll) and walk along the Marginal Way in Ogunquit Maine. She and Ken enjoyed celebrating their wedding anniversary at the Mt. Washington Hotel on several occasions. Mom was an avid Boston Celtics fan and enjoyed going to at least one game per year near the start of the season.

In her early years, her father taught her how to fish, and her interest in that was carried on by teaching her children who in turn taught theirs.

As the years advanced, her and Ken escaped the harsh New England winters in Clearwater Beach and Orlando, Florida, as snowbirds. They spent several winters staying on Clearwater Beach in the same building as where her niece, Debbie lived. Some of her grandkids favorite memories are visiting Nana and Papa during winter school vacations there. Walks on the beach, collecting shells, dinner at Frenchy’s, watching the sunset, looking for the “Petey Boat” and the “green flash” at sunset, plus lots of pool time, were some of the highlights.

Relatives and friends are warmly invited to a funeral service for Mary Lou at 10am on Wednesday November 18th at the First Congregational Church of Kingston, 6 Church Street, Kingston, New Hampshire. Please join her family for refreshments in the church hall immediately after the service. The committal service will take place after this at 2:00 PM in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, New Hampshire.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mary Lou’s memory to the Alzheimer's Association at BrightFocus Foundation, 22512 Gateway Center Dr, Clarksburg, MD 20871.