Dora M Rainie

Born in Lexington, Mass on December 14,1921, she was the daughter of Joseph and Johanna Merino, formerly of Ofena, Italy.

She was educated in the Waltham, Mass school system, graduating from Waltham High School in 1939, where she excelled in field hockey, softball, academics and music. She received her R.N. degree from Massachusetts Memorial School of Nursing (now University Hospital) in Boston, MA in 1942 and worked there as a head nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. There, during WWII she met her future husband, Robert C. Rainie M.D. They married in 1944. They then moved to Lewiston, ME, where she worked as an R.N. at Bates College and Central Maine Hospital for 3 years. In 1948 she returned to Waltham Hospital as head nurse in Pediatrics before relocating to Hanover, NH in 1949. She and her husband returned to Concord, NH in 1950 to raise their family and work. She retired from nursing in 1986.

During her lifetime, Dode was an avid golfer, tennis player and skier. She was an active member of the NH Women's State Golf Association and the Concord Country Club, where she was the women's club champion in 1974. She was also a member of the women's traveling tennis team at the former Concord Racquet Club and participated in national 3.5 tennis tournaments into her 80's. She loved spending time with her husband in Ocean Park, Maine and Treasure Cay, Bahamas, where she recorded her only hole in one.

Dode enjoyed music. She was a founding member of the Concord Chorale, a member of the Concord Messiah Chorus, the South Congregational Church choir and the Concord Music Club for many years. She was past president of the Merrimack County Medical Society Auxiliary. Her membership organizations included: Concord Hospital Associates, Concord Garden Club (where she cultivated her love of flowers), the Friendly Club, the Thrift Shop and the Concord Junior Service League. She also volunteered at Concord Hospital's Hospitality Shop, Concord VNA Blood Bank, FISH, and she hosted students in the Concord ABC Program.

She was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Dr. Robert C. Rainie (2012), her beloved granddaughter Joanna (Jody) Wilson (1999), her parents, her brothers Anthony (2003) and Joseph (1930) Merino, sisters Jean Corsi (2003) and Lillian (Lee) Callinan (2018).

She is survived by her 3 children: son, Scott (Cindy Call) of Concord; daughters Robin Rainie-Lobacz (Kenzie) of New London, NH and Jennifer (Jiffi) Rainie of Concord. In addition, she leaves her grandson Jarrod (Jeb) Wilson of Denville, NJ, Cindy's children, Shana Clark and Nathan Gaston, and Kenzie's daughter, Caroline Johnson (Nate). She also leaves 6 step great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A musical memorial service will be held on Saturday May 31 at 1:00pm at South Congregational Church, Concord, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dode's name to the Pope SPCA, Granite VNA, Nevers' Band, or the charity of your choice. Bennett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy can be given on our website.