Rita L. Courchene

RITA L. COURCHENE, 76, of Ingalls Road in Jaffrey died at her home surrounded by her loving family on Monday February 11, 2008 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.She was born on November 3, 1931 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of William Red and Amanda (Gagnon) Lessard. Rita attended schools in Gardner, Massachusetts and was a 1951 graduate of Conant High School in Jaffrey. Rita was affectionately known as Mrs. C while she was a teacher at Saint Patrick School in Jaffrey and later at the Jaffrey Grade School and the Jaffrey-Rindge Middle School. She retired in 1995 but continued on for several years as a substitute teacher whenever needed. Prior to teaching, Rita had been a secretary for Ron Despres at his real estate office, at Dr. David Knights dental office, and for Tony Sangermano at his oil business. Rita was very active with the Jaffrey Womans Club for many years. She also enjoyed cooking and gardening, particularly flower gardening which is evidenced by the beauty she created at Serenity Acres. Rita loved going for rides in her convertible and spending time at her camp in the White Mountains. Most of all, Rita enjoyed time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rita was preceded in death by her daughter Christine Courchene Cook on October 31, 2007.She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Norman L. Courchene of Jaffrey; her daughter Cathrine Gauthier and her son Peter Courchene, both of Jaffrey; 5 grandchildren, Sarah Walker of Dublin, Bethany Somero White of Lakeworth, FL, Martha Gauthier of Jaffrey, and Samantha Somero of Pickens, SC and Seth Courchene of Jaffrey; 4 great-grandchildren, her 2 sisters, Beverly Hoover of Seabrook Island, SC and Pauline McDonough of Elliot, ME; her brother Lt. Col. William Lessard, U.S. Air Force Ret. of Homestead, FL and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ritas name to Hospice at HCS, Post Office Box 496, Peterborough, NH 03458, or to the Kingsbury Center for Cancer Care, 590 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431.

Burial will take place at Saint Patrick Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Family and Friends are warmly invited to Calling Hours on Thursday February 28, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 33 River Street, (Route 202) Jaffrey.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 10:00 AM at Saint Patrick Church, 89 Main Street, Jaffrey. Rev. Wilfred Deschamps, Pastor, will be the Celebrant.