Marie P. (Ebol) Raiche, 87, passed away on April 30, 2025, in Florida, surrounded by family. Marie summered in Manchester with family, and she wintered in her “happy place”, Cocoa Beach, Florida. As Marie's health declined, her condo family (her neighbors) checked in on her daily. They, like all who met Marie, loved her.
She was born in Goffstown, NH on June 7, 1937, to the late Foisy Ebol and Laura (Santos) Long, she was the eldest of twelve children of Laura Long. Marie attended St. Joseph High School for Girls. She was a waitress, worked for Associated Grocers, and worked with her husband in their Photography Business. Marie also worked for The Greater Manchester Mental Health Center, retired after working there for 18 years as a Residential Specialist and later as a supervisor. While waitressing at Beford’s Grove’s Chat & Chew, she found the love of her life and married Robert Raiche, a photographer and entrepreneur where they lived on the Merrimack River’s waterfront home on Stark Lane. Marie loved to have her family and friends visiting to water ski, swim, tell stories, and laugh. They all considered her the family’s matriarch.
While raising her three children, Marie also raised most of her siblings, most of whom were raised in St. Peter’s Orphanage. A creative and self-taught cake decorator, she ran a home business decorating wedding and birthday cakes. Marie volunteered and received high honors and awards from the Manchester Community, including the first and only non-French person to be awarded the Manchester’s Franco-American Person Of The Year; Marie also has received The Outstanding Advocate Award from The N.H. Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, The Consumer Empowerment Award from the N.H. Alliance of the Mentally Ill, The Outstanding Volunteer Award from the YWCA Women’s Crisis Services for 20 years of Service. She received an award from the Boys Scouts of America. She was a member of the NH Professional Photographers Association and received the Professional Photographers of America Nation Award. She has done a lot of Volunteer work for different organizations in Manchester: Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader for St. Augustine’s Parish, where she met her life-long friend Mary Raiche, at Easter Seals, and an advocate with Women Crisis Center as a Court advocate for 21 years.
Above all, Marie dedicated her life to her greatest joy, her husband, her three children, her granddaughters, and great-granddaughters. She treasured the time spent with them; she craved their experiences and stories and photos. She was an exceptional cook and loved to share her dishes with family and friends.
Marie and Bob loved to travel with their close friends. They visited numerous countries and created lifelong memories. Marie remained a life-long devout Catholic and longtime Parishioner of the Parish of the Transfiguration. Marie faithfully practiced love, forgiveness, empathy, and non-judgment as to all she met. Her Church community cherished Marie, who volunteered regularly. Marie was also a member of the Red Hat Society in NH and Florida.
Marie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert H. Raiche, who passed away in 2007. Her parents, Foisy Ebol and Laura (Santos) Long, her sisters: Delores Ebol, Judith Hodgman, Mildred Rennie, Linda Long, Kathleen Long, and her brother Thomas Ebol, who recently passed on April 2, 2025.
She is survived by her children: Keith Raiche (Jennifer), of Manchester, NH, Lynda Dickson (Dave) of Bethlehem, NH, and Steven Raiche of Manchester. Marie also leaves two cherished granddaughters, Ashley Boutot (Marky) and Brittney Dickson; and three adored great-grandchildren, Kyla, Arya, and Brynn, who brought her years of laughter and joy. Marie’s surviving siblings are Colleen Swan (Dr. Channing Swan) of Manchester, the Reverend Patricia Long of Nahant, MA, Donna Long of Manchester, Senator Patrick Long (Karen) of Manchester, and Atty. Mickey Long (Cora) of Nahant, MA. Also, in-laws Ernie and Pauline Raiche of Brentwood, NH, Sharon Ebol of Summerfield, FL, John Rennie of Merrimack, NH, and so many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Marie will be remembered for her generosity, kindness, and unwavering love for her family. The world is a better place because of people like Marie.
A calling hour will take place on May 31, 2025 from 10 am to 11 am in Grace Episcopal Church, 106 Lowell St, Manchester.
A funeral mass will follow at 11 am in the church.
J.N. Boufford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Manchester Mental Health Center, c/o 401 Cypress Street, Manchester NH, 03103.
For more information and online guestbook please visit bouffordfuneralhome.com.