MANCHESTER ---- Rita Y. Phaneuf, 73 passed away peacefully on Monday, March 17, 2025 after a period of declining health with family by her side.
Rita was born on August 20,1951 in Manchester, NH to Joseph and Jeannette (Pilotte) Phaneuf. Rita was a long-term resident of Manchester, NH but also lived in Merrimack, NH for 5 years and Derry, NH for a short period. Rita was a loving daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt to many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Rita graduated from Manchester Memorial High School in 1969 and from Plymouth State College, with a Bachelor’s Degree in English, in 1973. Rita held many positions at Citizens Bank and then later worked at Paychex until she retired in 2020.
Rita had a love of photography and took many pictures of family, friends, flowers and nature. She was a T-shirt collector and had one from the many places she visited while traveling. She loved sharing her passion of baking around birthdays and the holidays. She also loved to knit and crochet, was an avid reader, and movie goer. Rita loved spending time at the beach with her dad and family and was second to none at trivia.
Rita was dedicated to her family and it meant everything to her. Rita’s family will always carry her memories in their hearts for years to come.
Rita is survived by her brother Paul and his wife Diane Phaneuf, her sister Susan and her husband Kenneth Charrette, her sister-in-law Susan Phaneuf, her brother Richard and his wife Susan Phaneuf, and her brother Jerry and his wife Brenda Phaneuf.
Rita also had several nieces and nephews and their families whom she loved, adored, and was super proud of. They include Scott Charrette and family, Stacy Doyon and family, Teena Phaneuf and family, Jamie Bolduc and family, TJ Phaneuf and family, Nicholas Phaneuf and family, Dayna Bolser and family, and Derek Phaneuf.
Rita was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Jeannette Phaneuf and her brothers Joseph Phaneuf, Jr. and Robert Phaneuf.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations in Rita's name be made to the Wounded Warriors Organization (PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516) as this was an organization she was passionate about and dear to her heart in loving memory of her dad or to the American Cancer Society (PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741) in loving memory of her brother Robert.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.