Laconia—Rhea Joyal Samson died peacefully in her sleep in her home at 135 Pine Street, Laconia on February 29, 2012. Valentine’s Day was her 91st birthday. She lived her entire life within a mile of Sacred Heart Church where all of the celebrations of joy and sorrow of her life took place. She felt fortunate that she was able to go to Laconia High School during the Depression when many of her friends had to go to work. She took business courses and went to work as a bookkeeper at Scott & Williams Factory. In 1942, she and two girlfriends went on a road trip throughout the United States and Canada. She married Fernand Samson in 1951 when she was thirty and over the following ten years, they had eight daughters. She later worked at the Margate Resort, the Laconia State School, the Department of Education in Concord and as the secretary of the Belmont Senior Center. She enjoyed lunch there for the rest of her life.
As a result of the many clubs to which she belonged, she had many friends. She was past-president of Saint Anne’s Society, past grand-regent of the Catholic Daughters of America and for the New Hampshire Council of Catholic Women. Having had eight daughters, she was a Girl Scout leader and a supporter of Camp Winsheblo. She was an avid collector of pins, coins, buttons and shoes. Always ready for a trip, she traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada with her daughters, numerous times to Quebec and once to France. Without even having to leave home, the world came to her. With an open heart, mind and door, she welcomed more than fifty of Paula’s family of friends from around the world. She led a full life right to the end, attending the Sacred Heart quilters group, the Friendship Club, Laconia Historical Society, doing aqua-aerobics three times per week, and playing Yahtzee with each of her nine grandchildren. Last year, ninety of her friends and family threw her a 90th birthday party.
She is survived by her daughters: Lisa Bean of Peterborough; Claire Tardiff of Boise, Idaho; Suzanne Sears of Deerfield; Janine Fell of Palm City Florida; Andrea McPherson of Spring Hill, Florida; Marcella Samson of Jupiter, Florida; Louise Samson of Boise, Idaho and Paula Samson with whom she lived. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Amanda Sears, Keegan Sears, Kate Sears, Gretel McDaniel, Adam Tardiff, Isaac Drouin, Ethan Bean, Erin McPherson and Lily Samson, as well as three great-grandchildren: Chloe and Forrest Sawler and one-month-old Ryder Sears and one sister, Jacqueline Thompson, of Orono, Maine.
Everyone who knew her and her daughters are invited to the calling hours at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. on Sunday, March 4, 2012 from 2-5 p.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Andre Bessette Parish-Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, N.H. on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 11 a.m. Following the Mass will be a gathering at Sacred Heart Parish Hall.
In her memory, an offering may be made to the St. Andre Bessette Parish, Sacred Heart Church. 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246, say a prayer, love your family and live your life to the fullest till the end.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.