Rita M. Belisle

Rita M. Belisle, age 85, left to be with the Lord on June 1, 2018 at her home in Springfield, Vermont with loving family by her side. Rita was born to Lorenzo J. Sr. and Mary Jane (Labbe) Brillant on June 8, 1932 in Hanover, New Hampshire. Rita was one of six children. She lived in Athol, Massachusetts in her youth and worked for Brillant's Bakery, her family-owned business.

She married her first husband, Richard E. Rayner, at the age of 17. Rita, her husband, and family moved from Athol to Bellows Falls, Vermont, where Rita and Richard had three children. Their marriage ended in 1965. Rita worked many years for her father's business, Brillant's Bakery in Bellows Falls, which later became the famous Rita's Coffee Stop which she owned and operated until her retirement in 2001. On Nov. 1, 1975 Rita married Henry H. Belisle who predeceased her on Feb. 17, 2016. Henry often referred to her as his "Rosebud." Rita came to be known as a mother figure and mentor to many who knew her. She was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Mrs. Belisle is survived by her son Rick Raynor and wife Lana of Westminster, Vermont; her daughters Marlene Curtis and husband Lee of Saxtons River, Vermont, and Diane Bartlett and husband Donald of Saxtons River; her brother Lorenzo "Pete" Brillant Jr. of Morgan, Vermont; her sisters Constance "Connie" Dawson of Bradford, Vermont, Venice Cavallo of Bellows Falls; her grandchildren Celeste Best, Chris Wilder, Tonya Burkholder, Tim Maxfield, Trevor Ramsey, Joshua Curtis, Danielle Raynor, Jevonne McLaughlin, and Eric Hill; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Henry, her parents, her sisters Jeanette Rumrill and Joanne Holbrook, and her granddaughter Monica Dunn Curtis.

Rita will be deeply missed by her family and the Bellows Falls community. Her memory will be held in the hearts of many.

There will be calling hours 5 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 6 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 7 at Saint Charles Church in Bellows Falls. Following the service, Rita will be laid to rest next to her husband Henry at St. Charles Cemetery. Reception to follow at the American Legion in Bellows Falls.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)