The Rev. Dr. Vera M. Wingate, 81, of Hollis, NH, wife of Charles E. Wingate, Jr., MD, passed away at her home, Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a period of declining health.
Born in Princeton, Texas on March 12, 1943, she was a daughter of the late Felan Randall and Vernice Lillian (Tyler) Montgomery. Vera was a graduate of Princeton High School, Princeton, Texas Class of 1961 and attended various courses in business colleges in Dallas, TX. Vera earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from New Hampshire College in Hooksett in 1988. She continued her education at Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Center, MA with a Masters degree in Divinity in 1990 and received her Doctor of Ministry from Bangor Theological, Bangor, Maine in 2001.
A resident of Hollis, NH since 1975, Vera also made her home in Nashua in 1974, after residing in Harrisburg, PA, Alexandria and Richmond, VA. From 1974-77 Vera was the Office Manager and Ophthalmic Medical Assistant for her husband, Charles E. Wingate, Jr, M.D., as he set up his ophthalmology practice.
In 1990, Vera became Pastor of Bethany Chapel Community Church, U.C.C. and served there until 2013. She then served as Interim Ministry at the Hooksett Congregational Church, UCC in Hooksett, NH until 2019. Vera led services and preached as pulpit supply at various churches in New Hampshire, mostly in the Hillsborough Association. Her last pulpit supply was at The First Church, Nashua on August 25, 2019.
She led the Bethany Chapel as it claimed its history while preserving its location, as it became a community meeting place in suppers and celebrations, as it proclaimed ministry in baptisms, communion, weddings, and in memorial celebrations of life. Vera was president of the Manchester Clergy Association for two years in the mid 1990s. She was a member of the Citizen’s Advisory Board, New Hampshire State Women’s Prison for ten years until 2008.
Vera was a Prison Ministry Advocate in the New Hampshire Conference, UCC, 2000-2006; Hillsborough Association Scribe (NHC, UCC) ten years ending early 2000s; the Hillsborough Association Executive Committee, two years in mid 1990s; and the Hillsborough Association Committee on Church and Ministry early to mid 2000s. She was the recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Preservation Award, October 2005 and the Good Samaritan Award from Pastoral Counseling Services, Manchester, NH in 2009. Vera also served on various committees in the New Hampshire Conference, UCC late 1980s-2006.
Her personal interests included crocheting, crossword and word search puzzles, drawing and coloring artwork, caring for her grandchildren who gave her such pride and joy; and celebrating birthdays and holidays with her family.
Members of her family include her husband Charles, whom she married on June 15, 1968 at Dickerson Chapel, Dallas, TX and celebrated their 56th anniversary in 2024; her children, Charles Edward Wingate, III and his wife Jessica Dery Wingate of Windham, NH, and Caroline Endress Wingate Labrecque and her husband Wayne A. Labrecque of Nashua, NH; her grandchildren, Bradley Charles Wingate, Parker Raymond Wingate, Charlotte Wingate Labrecque and Cailyn Wingate Labrecque; her four siblings, Don Henry Montgomery of Sherman, TX, Kathleen Montgomery of Ravenna, TX, Carolyn Montgomery Dunn and her husband Jackie of Brashear, TX and the late Kenneth Randall Montgomery, who passed away in June 2018; with numerous nieces and nephews. Robert M. Wingate and wife, Patricia Wingate; Dr. Joseph L. Wingate and wife, Ada Wingate; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held for her family. The family is planning a memorial service at a later date. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservic.ecom . Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Bethany Chapel Community Church, 54 Newbury Road Manchester, NH 03103; The First Church, 1 Concord Street Nashua, NH 03064; The St. Joseph Hospital Cancer Center, 172 Kinsley Street Nashua, NH 03060.
