Rita Mercier

Franklin, NH Mrs. Rita J. Mercier, 96, of Franklin, died at Merrimack County Nursing Home on Nov. 13, 2014. She was born in Laconia on March 19, 1918 the daughter of Raymond and Jennie (Poulin) Vaillancourt. Rita attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Laconia and graduated from Franklin High School in 1935. She was married to Moise M. Mercier in Nov. of 1938. She was a member of the Franklin Catholic Daughter, Court Annie Nesmith, and treasurer of Franklin Senior Citizens Club. She took care of the books for the Knights of Columbus Bingo in Franklin for many years. Rita was employed as a bookkeeper for several area businesses including Griffin Drug Store, the Rationing Board, PSNH, Franklin Water Dept., Albert Garneau, and Elliott Garage. She is survived by three children, Paul and his wife Marilyn, Annette, and Rolland and his wife Andrea, as well as her brother, Raymond of Canada, 12 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren. Rita also leaves many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her husband, former Franklin Fire Chief Moise Mercier, died in 1995. Visiting hours will be held Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at Thibault-Neun Funeral Home, 143 Franklin St., from 5-7:00 pm. A Mass celebrating Rita's life will be held Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at 11 am in St. Paul Church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Gabriel Parish (St. Paul Church), PO Box 490, Franklin, NH 03235. For directions and an online guestbook, please visit www.neunfuneralhomes.com