Rita E. Dionne

Rita E. Dionne, 98, of Peterborough, NH died peacefully on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at the Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough.

Mrs. Dionne was born on August 15, 1920 in Gardner MA, the daughter of the late William T. and Edna (Robichaud) Connell.

Although she was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, she spent her school years in Peterborough, graduating from Peterborough High School in 1937. She was a star basketball player on the New Hampshire State Championship team.

Rita excelled at secretarial skills of the day, putting them to good use at the American Guernsey Cattle Club in Peterborough and Gardner State Hospital. She also worked for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and was especially skilled at taking doctor’s notes at disabled children’s clinics. She was secretary to the president of National Grange Insurance in Keene until her retirement.

The most important things in her life were her faith and her family. She was a communicant of Divine Mercy Parish, formerly St. Peter’s Church in Peterborough. Rita married Adjutor ‘Al’ Dionne on July 2, 1960, and together they had a happy marriage grounded in faith and family. They loved to dance and often took bus trips which included dancing. Both Rita and Al were very close to their families. They spent many happy times with Rita’s siblings and never missed the Dionne family picnic.

Rita loved to bake, and her deserts were always the first to go at any gathering. She was a skilled knitter and loved making beautiful thing for her family. She led a full life. Her favorite saying was “I had a good time getting here.”

Rita was predeceased by her husband Al on January 3, 2005. She was also predeceased by her sister, Madeleine Gauthier in 2000 and by her brother, William T. Connell, Jr. in 2009.

She is survived by her sister, Priscilla C. Bourgoine of Peterborough, as well as her nieces, nephews, and many close friends.

A Calling hour will be held at Divine Mercy Church, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH 03458 on Friday, September 28, 2018 from 1:00PM - 2:00PM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00PM. Burial will follow at St. Peter Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Divine Mercy Parish, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH 03458 or to the Divine Mercy Parish itself.