Rita Y. Bruneau

Rita Y. (Mailhot) Bruneau, 102, of Manchester passed away on September 25, 2020 at Hillsborough County Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family after a period of declining health.

She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Maurice J. Bruneau in 2004. Rita was honored with a Centenarian Award by the New Hampshire State Senate on her 100th birthday on February 15, 2018.

Rita was born and raised in Manchester, NH. She was the sole remaining survivor of eight children. She was the daughter of Eliud and Antoinette Mailhot. In her younger years, she attended and graduated from the Holy Angel School of St. Marie Parish.

She was married on April 12, 1947 and then became a lifelong parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Manchester. She was a lifetime member of the St. Anne Sodality and a 25 year member of the Columbiette Knights of Columbus. She also worked for many years at Velcro Co. in Manchester.

Rita had many interests including traveling, gardening, sewing and Ballroom dancing for which she and her husband won several competitions. She loved to visit with and entertain family and many lifelong friends at her beautiful home.

Family members include her daughter, Marie J. Kennedy and husband Tom of Hooksett; her son, Roger E. Bruneau and wife Terry of Baldwinsville, NY; her grandson, Kenneth D. Miner and wife Angie; two great-grandchildren, Riley and McKenna of Weare, NH.

There are no public calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 29 at 11 am in St. Joseph Cathedral. Committal prayers will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Manchester. Please have all flowers delivered directly to the Cathedral on Tuesday morning.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Sisters of the Precious Blood Monastery, 700 Bridge St, Manchester, NH 03104.

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting with arrangements. To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfunerahome.com.