Laconia-Anita (Lessard) Faretra, 90, of 22 Strafford Street, longtime former resident of Bow Street, Concord died unexpectedly Thursday afternoon, April 24, 2008 at Lakes Region General Hospital.
Anita was the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Emma (Breton) Lessard. She was born in Lakeport on January 14, 1918 where she was raised and schooled.
Prior to moving back to Laconia six months ago, Anita resided in Concord for many years where she owned and operated Anita’s Beauty Salon for 50 years.
Anita graduated from Sacred Heart School, and Laconia High School. She then went on to graduate from Margaret’s Beauty School in Manchester, where after graduation she worked as an instructor. Prior to her retirement she had been a hairdresser for 54 years, and active within the profession's associations. She was a volunteer for 13 years for the Reach to Recovery program for the American Cancer Society. In 1988 Anita was the recipient of the Courage Award from Merrimack County. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America for many years, and served as Vice Regent for the Concord court. She was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in Concord, and was very active in many of the programs and committees. She attended Sacred Heart Church upon returning home to Laconia.
Beside her parents Anita is predeceased by her husband Michael Faretra; one brother, Rene Lessard; two sisters, Cecile Waldron, and Eveline Lemay.
Annette is survived by a daughter, Susan Faretra of Concord; her brother Peter R. “Beau” Lessard and his wife Dottie of Laconia; her sister Irene DeNauw and her husband Victor of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Several nieces and nephews who loved her dearly also survive Anita.
Visiting hours were Tuesday, April 29, 2008 from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at the Simoneau-Paquette Memorial, 139 Church Street, Laconia. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue Laconia at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Adrien R. Longchamps pastor of the church will celebrated the mass. Burial followed in the family lot at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia.
For those who wish, the family suggests expressions of sympathy in Anita’s name may be made to CRVNA Hospice House, 240 Pleasant Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301