Suzanne E. Portinari

Suzanne Emily (Goulet) Portinari, 83 years old, of Pembroke, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2025, at the Granite VNA Hospice House in Concord with her loving family by her side. 

Suzanne, otherwise known as “Sue” was born in Manchester on March 7, 1942, the daughter of the late Forest and Rachel (Richards) Goulet. She grew up in Manchester and met her husband, Joe while in high school. They married and had five children. She often said “my marriage is never boring”. In the early years, Sue was a homemaker. Cleaning and cooking were her hobbies. She is remembered for making the best chocolate pudding and spaghetti sauce. She was a wonderful stay-at-home mom for many years. When her children were older, she went to work for her cousin, CB Sullivan and worked as a customer service representative for CB Sullivan Company for 29 years. The customers absolutely loved her. Sue loved to knit sweaters. hats, scarfs and mittens especially at night while watching TV. She was an avid reader of books. Every morning she read and had her coffee. She practiced Kripalu yoga everyday for 40 years and everyone knew not to interrupt her during yoga. She also loved to garden and spent hours in her flower gardens. She enjoyed dining out with her girlfriends and her daughters. Sue had a love of music whether it was while doing her yoga or attending many concerts throughout the years. She enjoyed taking long drives with her husband in their MG to Maine, Nova Scotia, the Gaspe Peninsula and cross country trips. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Every summer, Sue’s favorite tradition was vacationing at Biddeford Pool, Maine with her children and grandchildren. In recent years, the family vacationed at Hills Beach, Maine. She loved having her family and friends creating memories, playing cards nightly on the porch overlooking the ocean, cooking wonderful dinners and taking care of everyone. She will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul who was loved by everyone. She never had a bad word to say. Her smile was contagious and her generous, selfless personality was admirable. 

Family members include her husband of 64 years, Joseph Portinari, Sr.; two sons, Joseph Allen Portinari, Jr. of Manchester and Shane Portinari of Pembroke; two daughters, Kristin Demers and her husband Daniel of Boscawen and Joelle Michaud and her husband Craig of Hooksett; Daughter-in-law, Jane A. Portinari; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild and several nephews, nieces, and cousins. She was predeceased by a beloved son, Eric J. Portinari who died in January 2025 and by a sister, Janice Bryson. 

A graveside service for both Sue and her beloved son Eric will be held at Evans Cemetery in Bow, NH on Friday, August 1st at 1:30pm. Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Manchester, is in charge of arrangements. For more information or to view the online memorial, go to www.phaneuf.net.