Rita Marguerite (Lessard) Crimmin, 80, died peacefully Friday, April 16, at the home of her daughter in White River Junction. During her final hours, she was continually surrounded by the children and grandchildren to whom she devoted her life.
A long-time resident of Windsor, Mrs. Crimmin was born on July 6, 1929, in Claremont, N.H., the only daughter of Malvina (Verboncoeur) and Elmer Lessard. She moved with her parents at an early age to Windsor, where she attended elementary school. She graduated from Windsor High School in 1946. On April 17, 1948, she married T. Frank Crimmin at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Windsor.
Mrs. Crimmin worked at the former Windsor News Store prior to her marriage and for some time afterwards. Once the first of her six children was born, however, caring for and raising the children and tending to the needs of the family became the main focus of her life. During those busy years, the doors of her home were always open to her children and their many friends at all hours of the day or night. When the children had grown and left home, she worked as a companion for homebound people in the Woodstock area. She also helped care for her grandchildren whenever her assistance was requested.
She was a longtime member of St. Francis Church in Windsor and of the Catholic Daughters.
Mrs. Crimmin loved domestic and wild animals, especially cats and horses. In her early years, she enjoyed horseback riding. She also loved to feed and watch the birds and gray squirrels that populated the yard and ravine behind her home on Ascutney Street. She enjoyed listening to The Beatles and other rock 'n' roll music of the '60s, '70s, and '80s. She often watched NASCAR races and was a big Jeff Gordon fan.
In 2005, she was deeply saddened when in May her daughter, Lori Dimick, and then in December her husband of 57 years, Frank Crimmin, died.
She is survived by a son, Stephen Crimmin and his wife, Liba Hladik, of East Thetford, Vt.; four daughters, Patricia, her husband, Mark Greenan of White River Junction, and his children, Colin, Lindsey, and Sadie; Linda Eisener, and her husband, Mark, of Plainfield, N.H.; Carole Crimmin and her long-time companion, Donald Buchanan, of Perkinsville, Vt.; Jennifer Crimmin of Bradford, Vt.; and an honorary daughter, Robin Roberts of West Windsor. She also is survived by 11 grandchildren: Tana Dimick, Brandi Crimmin, K.J. Dimick, Beth Crimmin, Jesse Smith, Amanda Smith, Sarah Smith, Madison Smith, Samantha Smith, Alex Crimmin, and Chris Eisener.
Friends may call at the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor on Wednesday, April 21, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 22, at 11 a.m. at the Knight Funeral Home. The Rev. Joseph O'Keeffe will officiate. Committal services will follow in the St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Windsor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society at 300 Old Route 10, Enfield, NH 03748, or the Humane Society of your choice.