Marguerite Moffett visits the New Hampshire State Veteran’s Cemetery often to see her son’s gravestone and memorial.

“I used to come down 93 and see the sign ‘Veterans Cemetery,’ and I didn’t know what a fantastic place that is in New Hampshire,” she said.

Her husband served in the Navy and all three of her sons served in the Marines, including her son, John, who died in 2007.

After his passing, she started to volunteer on Memorial Day and Veterans Day every year, putting out American flags by each grave in the Boscawen cemetery. Along with other volunteers, she would spend the whole day decorating and commemorating the legacy of the state’s veterans.

Even though she had to stop as she hit her 90s because of the physical activity required, she still goes to the cemetery regularly and admires the 100 Nights of Remembrance hosted from Memorial Day to September 11. On each night during this time, volunteers play “Taps” by the flagpole.

As of late, her mind has focused on extending the recognition of veterans after recent Memorial Day commemoration events.

“We focus on that one day, but the memories of so many people linger on,” she said.

Born in 1930, Moffett grew up in Lancaster on a farm during the Great Depression and World War II. Two weeks before her high school graduation, her mom died from cancer.

She said taking care of her mom during that time influenced her passion for nursing.

At Whitaker Place in Penacook, fellow residents at the assisted living facility greet her affectionately, calling her “Sis,” her well-known nickname. She makes sure to stop at each office to wave at staff members. Everyone waves back.

“Be friendly to everybody. You know, they’re all fighting some battle,” she said.

She continues to volunteer as a recording secretary for regular administrative meetings at Whitaker Place.

Moffett started as a nurse in Lancaster and eventually became an administrator of the Regional Medical Professional Association – now the Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster.

She served as a nurse for nearly four decades before retiring at 62. Once her retirement came around, she decided to volunteer as an EMT in Groveton into her 70s.

“I heard them paging for somebody to go, and I thought if I took the EMT course, I could help them,” she said.

Mike Moffett, her son and a state representative from Loudon, wrote in a message to the Monitor that he nominated his mom because she “has given so much of herself to extended family, friends, neighbors, and the greater community as a nurse, a volunteer, on the ambulance crew, and so much more.”

“Mom is an inspiring example of a consummate, selfless giver,” he wrote.

For her part, Moffett would rather share stories about her children and grandchildren than talk about herself and her own accomplishments.

This month, her granddaughter, Malia, will graduate from Concord High. Moffett hopes to attend the ceremony and celebrate the accomplishments of John’s child. Malia will be attending the University of Hawaii, returning to the state where her father was stationed during his time in the service. Moffett could not be prouder.

“My philosophy has been just to keep busy and have a lot of faith and family and friends. Those are my three F words,” she said. “And not to get too discouraged when times are tough. Just try to be brave. Our hearts never forget.”

Kiera McLaughlin can be reached at kmclaughlin@cmonitor.com