Mrs. Jeannette R. “Jeanne” (Mitchell) Rioux, of Taunton, entered into rest Thursday, September 7 in Longmeadow of Taunton following a period of failing health. She was the beloved wife of 69 years of the late Lucien W. Rioux. She was born 102 years ago in Fall River, the daughter of the late John and Malvina (Lafleur) Mitchell. Jeanne was educated in Fall River, having graduated from the Notre Dame School in Fall River in 1930. In her youth, she and her siblings worked in her father’s store, the North Pole Candy Kitchen in Fall River. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by St. Pierre’s Gift Shop in Taunton for 15 years. With her late husband, Jeanne previously owned and operated the former L. Rioux Furniture Company in Taunton for 38 years before the business was sold due to her late husband’s illness. She was originally employed at the former B.C. Hospital in Attleboro for 5 years. Jeanne enjoyed knitting and sewing. She made most of her own clothing, as well as many of her husband’s sweaters. She also enjoyed boating with her late husband, and was a member of the Taunton Power Squadron. She was devoted to her family, and all of the Rioux family, who were so good to her and took such wonderful care of her. She was a communicant of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton.
She leaves 4 sisters-in-law: Theresa Haradon of Wilmington, N.C., Sr. Fern Rioux, S.U.S.C. of Fall River, Jeannette A. Rioux of Taunton, Claire Chamberlain of Massapequa, N.Y., and several nieces and nephews. Jeanne was also the sister of the late Rita Ostiguy, Hon. Nicholas W. Mitchell, former Mayor of Fall River, Theodore Mitchell of Fall River, and Florence Robidoux and Antoinette Oliveira, both of Meriden, Ct.
Funeral services will be held from The Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home, 467 Bay Street, on Monday, September 11 at 9:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow in St. Jude the Apostle Church at 10:00 A.M. interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held Sunday, from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M.