Rita D. Phaneuf

Manchester – Rita D. Phaneuf, 88, (who declared she was 26 until her dying day), beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, died peacefully at home on June 29th, 2020, surrounded by family. Rita was a Manchester native, born February 18th, 1932 to Anne Marie "Annie" (Bilodeau) Nault and Wilfred "Willie" J. Nault.
Rita will be deeply missed by her surviving children and their families: Joseph P. Phaneuf Jr. and wife Holleen M. (Demers) Phaneuf of Portage, PA; Denise C. Morgan-Coleman and husband James R. Coleman of Manchester; her daughter-in-law, Suzanne "Sue" R. M. (Laurendeau) Phaneuf, of Goffstown; and Paul E. Phaneuf of Manchester. Her children were her pride and joy, and her unconditional love for them was evident to all who knew her.

She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Shelly D. (Gabert) Bookhammer (husband William "Bill") and her children Derrick X. Parks, Richelle C. Parks, and Jerrid T. Gabert; Jason J. Phaneuf (wife Adriana V. Fernandez); Dyanna M. Phaneuf (fiancée Tim George) and her daughter Addyson G. Jodan; NH State Senator Jon Morgan (wife Katie Quigley) and their sons Thomas A., William M. and Gabriel L. Morgan; Marc J. M. Morgan (fiancée Jacqui Cooper); Natalie R. A. (Coleman) Buelvas and her daughter Violet J. Buelvas; James R. Coleman Jr.; Timothy C. McLaughlin and his sons Mayson and Tyler McLaughlin; David Jobin and his son Tyce; Kassandra L. Phaneuf; and Alysha M. (Phaneuf) LaRocque (her daughter Frankie Ann). She has one great-great-grandchild, Oria M. Parks. She is also survived by her three sisters-in-law, Jean LaSalle, Rachel Proulx, and Lucille Huard, and one brother-in-law, Bert DesRrochers. She loved each and every one of her family members, delighted in visiting with them, sending cards, seeing their photos and cooking for them.

She was predeceased by her doting husband, Joseph P. Phaneuf Sr, her loving parents, her 9 siblings, her two children Fernande A. Phaneuf and Robert "Bob" P. Phaneuf, many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Rita was the 7th of 10 children. She was born into a deeply religious Catholic French-Canadian family. Rita herself was a devout Catholic, and in 1948, at 16 years old, she joined the Sisters of the Holy Cross Convent at L'École de Marie in Montréal, Canada. There she deepened her faith and formed meaningful bonds with her sisters. One year later, a life-threatening health emergency forced her back to her Manchester home to convalesce. It was there, while recovering from a near-death experience, that she met the love of her life, Joe. She never went back to the convent, and on November 17th, 1951 they were married. Despite the change of plans, she remained a devout Catholic, and her spirituality was felt by all who knew her.

As a child, she loved music and learned to sing and play the piano. Music became a lifelong passion. She sang in the Notre Dame Choir for 13 years and the Diocesan Choir for 9 years. She enjoyed playing the piano for family and friends. Recently, she wrote the music to her own version of the song, Beautiful Beautiful Brown Eyes, at the request of her granddaughter, Kassandra Phaneuf. When Kassandra learned the piece and played it for her, Rita was beaming. Rita and her niece, Elaine Fugère, also shared a lifelong connection through music. They enjoyed singing together while Rita played the piano. Her grandson, James Coleman, has fond memories of playing violin and piano duets with her. Seeing her play the piano and sing was truly a delight.
Rita also loved traveling, gardening, reading, drawing, and playing card games. Every week she played various games with family members, especially with her daughter-in-law, Sue. The scores were carefully documented in her notebook. When the family learned that Rita's health was declining, they came from near and far for a final visit and created a wonderful memory of love, support and affection to honor our family Matriarch.

Calling hours are Sunday July 12 from 2 to 5 PM at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover St., Manchester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning July 13 at 10:00 in St. Pius Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. To view an Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net.

Please note current restrictions limiting funeral home capacity to no more than 50%. Those in attendance are respectfully requested to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.