Grace M. Rioux

She was born in Whitefield, NH, June 5, 1922, the daughter of Phillias and Ophelia (Turgeon) Fontaine. A lifelong resident of Keene, she was a 1940 graduate of Keene High School.

Mrs. Rioux worked for 38 years as an operator for New England Telephone, and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers. She was a parishioner of St. Margaret Mary Church in Keene and a member of the Ladies of Ste. Anne Sodality.

She enjoyed crafts, sewing and knitting. She also enjoyed bowling, participating in the Wednesday morning bowling league. She especially enjoyed her summers on Granite Lake, and later, her winters in Spring Hill, Florida.

Survivors include a son, William E. Rioux and his wife, Cindy, of Pittsburgh, NH, two daughters, Ann DeBlank and her husband, Carl, of Keene, Linda Collins and her husband, Geoffrey, of West Swanzey, NH, eight grandchildren, Chip DeBlank, Karen Gardner, Holly Morin, Amanda Dillon, Ryan Bourke, Casey Bourke, William C. Rioux, Travis R. Rioux, and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Albert Fontaine of Walpole, NH, two sisters, Theresa Murdough and husband, Raymond, and Cecile Chickering, all of Keene, and many nieces and nephews. Her husband of 53 years, William J. Rioux, died January 8, 1999. Two brothers, Pete Fontaine and Edward Fontaine, died earlier.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 11:30 AM in St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Lower Main Street, Keene. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made in Mrs. Rioux’s memory to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 161 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431.