Miss NH High School America Loses her 'Inspiration'

When Kayla Layton was Miss Hampton Beach last summer, the smile that crossed her face and the tears that rolled down her cheeks — a Massachusetts woman whose 75-year devotion to and love for the pageant inspired Layton to challenge for the title.

Less than two weeks ago, though, many tears have been shed for, sadly, a much different reason.

Layton's Nana, Madeline Jane (Slattery) Geraghty, 82, of Salem, Mass., passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 15, after a period of failing health. Layton's family has since been mourning a mother and grandmother they've described as a passionate, caring and wonderful woman who always did everything she could for her family.

"One of the last things she said to me was, 'We had some great times at Hampton, huh? I am so proud of you, and I love you,'" said Layton, a Bedford native who will leave for Texas on March 4 to compete in the Miss High School America pageant on March 10. "Every summer, for 75 years of her life, she would sit on the beaches of Hampton in rain or shine. Hampton Beach is such an important part of my childhood because of her, and those memories have only gotten stronger sense her death."

Layton has said that she likely wouldn't be where she is today without her Nana, whom Layton said shared her passion to forge something that quickly became "such an important part of my life and hers."

"As having the title of Miss Hampton Beach, I just think about how proud Nana was of me," said Layton. "There was actual meaning behind the title, not just winning a crown and money. I love her so much. Hampton will always be her beach."

Nancy Layton, Kayla's mother and Geraghty's daughter, also reflected on how Nana influenced her life and the lives of other members of their family.

"She was a strong, feisty woman that went out of her way to make her family and friends always feel comfortable, happy, and loved," said Nancy Layton.

Geraghty's life was celebrated during a funeral mass on Saturday, Feb. 18, in St. Mary of the Annunciation Church in Danvers, Mass. Burial followed in Annunciation Cemetery in Danvers.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked memorial donations be made in Geraghty’s name to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA, 01923.