Rebecca J. Vaillancourt

Rebecca J. “Becky” (Crawford) Vaillancourt, 54, passed away November 4, 2024, with family and friends by her side, after a fourteen-month battle with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). She was born in Manchester, NH on July 28, 1970, and was educated in public schools graduating from Manchester Memorial High School class of 1988. She was a proud resident of New Hampshire and eventually settled in Auburn with her family enjoying many years with friends, her garden and her animals – dogs Emmett, Gaston, and Seamus and her chickens and ducks.

Becky worked for over 20 years as a nurse, mostly in critical care, at Elliot Hospital, Parkland Medical Center and Lowell (MA) General Hospital. She loved being a nurse, and she was a great one. She was a dedicated and compassionate caregiver for her patients and their families and a kind, loyal and fun-loving friend and mentor to her healthcare family. She worked as a Covid -19 warrior in the ground zero ICUs in NH, often taking on additional long hours and friend’s shifts when they were sick. Most recently, she earned her nurse practitioner license and was part of the Elliot Gastroenterology group. Throughout her illness, she was continuously looking for a way to get back into healthcare and make a difference in other people’s lives.

Becky loved any day that she was able to spend at the beach, rain or shine. She never turned down an invite to go to someone’s camp on a lake (including her grandparents) or sit at a pool and enjoy some downtime. The gatherings at her house for which she planned, decorated, and cooked were always memorable if not epic, especially her annual Halloween party and St. Patrick’s Day dinner. She was committed to her Catholic faith and was a parishioner at St. Peter’s in Auburn, NH. 

More than anything, Becky was dedicated and devoted to her family. Her house was adorned with family photos from both past and present, along with artwork and crafts she kept from her children’s preschool. She found much joy watching her children, even as teenagers and young adults, play with cousins and friends in the backyard. She went to all school and then college events to celebrate their achievements. Date nights with her husband whether just sitting out on the deck or going to a favorite restaurant were always treasured.

Becky is survived by her parents Seargent and Margaret Crawford of Manchester, NH, her beloved husband of 21 years Russell Vaillancourt of Auburn, NH, her daughter Margaret Vaillancourt of San Jose, CA, her son Harrison Vaillancourt of Prescott, AZ, her sister Anna Eisenhauer (David) of Hooksett, NH, her sister Catherine Crawford (Thomas Eng) of Bedford, NH and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws as well as numerous incredible friends whom she loved like family. 

The family would like to thank the medical teams from Massachusetts General Hospital Neuro-Oncology and Neuro ICU groups, as well as the compassionate staff at High Pointe House hospice in Haverhill, MA.

A gathering will be held Wednesday November 27, 2024, from 4-7pm at the Phaneuf Funeral Home 243 Hanover Street Manchester, NH. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10am on Friday November 29, 2024, at St. Peters in Auburn, NH with a celebration of life immediately following at the Puritan Back Room 245 Hooksett Road Manchester, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jimmy Fund, the National Brain Tumor Society, Marguerite’s Place of Nashua, NH, or the charity of one’s choice. 

Becky’s laughter, her energy, her presence, and her love will be greatly missed.