Mary Ann (Burgess) Rivard

Mary Ann (Burgess) Rivard, 58, of Deerfield, NH, after a long battle with cancer, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2020 surrounded by her family. Born on May 27, 1961 in Dorchester, MA, she was the daughter of Thomas and Maureen (Fitzpatrick) Burgess.

Mary was a graduate of Milford High School, and later earned her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Colby-Sawyer College. Mary founded and directed Kiddie Corner Learning Center on Silver Street in Manchester for 34 years. At Kiddie Corner, she took pride in educating multiple generations of children from thousands of families. Though she will be deeply missed, Kiddie Corner will continue to operate under the care of her long-time staff.

In addition to her love for teaching children, Mary loved animals. She was an avid "Horse Woman" who enjoyed equestrian competition and caring for her horses at her farm in Deerfield where she lived with her husband, Jim. She also trained at the Horton's Farm in Grantham, NH. Mary always looked forward to spending time outdoors, whether it be hiking in the mountains or relaxing and swimming at the beach. Above all, Mary was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and grandmother who cherished time spent with her family.

Mary is survived by her husband James Rivard, of Deerfield, NH, with whom she shared 8 years of marriage; her mother, Maureen Fitzpatrick Burgess of Raymond, NH; her daughter, Amy Potter and her husband Daniel of Worcester, VT, and their son Quinn; her brother, Thomas Burgess and his wife Monique of Newport, RI, and their two children, niece Cameron and nephew Cole, her step-daughter, Crystal Chaput and her husband Kyle of Milford, NH, and their children Sawyer, Greyson and Elowyn; her step-son Corey Rivard of Nashua, NH and his children Vyncent, Olyvia and Avya; as well as numerous extended family members, friends and colleagues.

Services will be held on Friday, January 10th at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 250 Coolidge Avenue, Manchester, NH. Family and friends are invited to gather from 4PM-6PM. A Memorial Service will be held in the funeral home at 6PM.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Mary's huge heart for abandoned animals, donations may be made in Mary's memory to the ASPCA https://www.aspca.org/