Rita L. Paradise

Rita L. (Berthiaume) Paradise, 87, of Nashua, NH passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at Fairview Nursing Home in Hudson, NH. She was born on September 3, 1924 in St. Eugene, Canada, the daughter of the late Arthur and Leocadie (Masse) Berthiaume.

Rita was a lifelong Nashua resident and was educated at St. Francis Xavier School. She was employed as a disc packer for the Nashua Corporation for many years until her retirement in 1989. Rita was also a Disc Jockey, taking over the business when her husband Maurice passed away. She loved music, dancing and singing. She was a member of the Silver Lining Chorus, Harmonica Saints, and the Nashua Senior Center, where she was very active and participated for many years in their talent shows. She also performed at the Winter Stroll in downtown Nashua with the Harmonica Saints and the Silver Lining Chorus. Rita especially loved spending time with her family. She was very dedicated to her beliefs and the Catholic Church, and also a member of the choir at St. Francis Xavier for many years.

She is predeceased by her husband, Maurice Paradise in 1969; a granddaughter, Amy Marie Patten; a brother, Camille Berthiaume; and a sister and brother in law, Theresa and Wilfred Gagnon.

She is survived by a sister, Estelle Berthiaume of Nashua; a brother, Paul Berthiaume of Miami, FL and his wife Claire of Nashua; two sons, Gerald Paradise and his wife Donna of Hillsborough, NH and Normand Paradise and his fiancée Deb LaForce of Ellenton, FL; two daughters, Jacqueline Paradise and Diane Patten both of Hudson; close family friend, Sandra Rose Lamontagne of Hudson; nine grandchildren, Jason Paradise and his wife Kristen, Joshua Paradise and his wife Amy, Joey Paradise and his wife Janice, Laura Wing and her husband Keith, Ann Cilley and her husband George, Jr., Kenny Paradise and his wife Erin, Shannon Konieczka and her husband Corey, Christopher Patten and his wife Kristen, and Amy Raymond; twelve great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours were held on Thursday, December 1, 2011 from 2-4 pm & 6-8 pm at ST. LAURENT FUNERAL HOME, 116 ELM STREET, NASHUA, NH 03060. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, December 2, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Parish of the Resurrection in Nashua. Burial followed at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Nashua. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita’s name to the Nashua Senior Center, 70 Temple Street Nashua, NH 03060.