Rachel M. Dagenais, 97, of Claremont, NH, died at home on Saturday (November 4, 2017) following a brief illness.
Rachel Marie-Jeanne Dagenais was born on March 4, 1920
in Hamsud. PQ, Canada, the daughter of Ludger and Georgianna (known as Rose) Beaudoin. On her father’s side she was a descendant of the first French settlers in New France (Quebec). She was educated at Catholic schools in Claremont and Lewiston, ME. On June 29, 1940 she married George J. Dagenais of Claremont. Her husband predeceased her in 1986. In her younger days, Mrs. Dagenais enjoyed looking after her family, cooking meals from scratch, doing needlework and sewing from patterns she created herself. She also had a special delight in doing outdoor work, and for many years she had a seasonal vegetable stand on Sugar River Drive where she often gave away many of her vegetables. She was famous for her apple pies made with maple syrup from the family farm and every summer she canned over 300 quarts of vegetables. In her later years after losing most of her eyesight, she found joy in listening to religious publications on tape and digital format and listening to several radio programs. Her favorite radio station was Vermont Public Radio. Mrs. Dagenais was an avid student of the Bible and an active member of the Claremont Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for more than 60 years. She readily shared her biblical knowledge with others.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son, Joel Dagenais in 1998; two sisters, Irene Gagnon in 1991, and Jeannette Dagenais in 1996; two brothers, Gregory Beaudoin in 1982 and Herve Beaudoin in 2013.
She is survived by a son, Daniel Dagenais, two daughters, Suzanna Collins and Celeste Connor, and Celeste’s husband, Douglas Connor. Mrs. Dagenais is also survived by three grandsons, Adam Dagenais and his partner, Kelley Davis, Cameron Connor and Mason Connor and several nieces and nephews.
Her immediate family wishes to thank the hospice team at Lake Sunapee Area VNA for the skilled and respectful care the provided to their mother during her final days.
There will be no visiting hours.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 18, at the Kingdom Hall on River Road in Claremont with Glenn Partridge, officiating. All are welcome.
You are invited to share a memory of Rachel with the family or leave a message of condolence in the family guest book at www.royfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Roy Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
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