Obituary of Rita A. Vaillancourt

Waterford – Rita A. Riel Vaillancourt, 95, of Waterford, passed away at her home with her family by her side on Friday, June 25, 2021.  Born in Cohoes, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Alice Simard Riel.  She was educated in St. Joseph School in Cohoes.  Rita was a bookkeeper at Cramer’s Armory in Cohoes for over 20 years.  She was a member of the Cohoes Waterford Elks Ladies Auxiliary,  Past President and honored with the Mother of the Year.  Past President of the Ladies of St. Anne, Past officer of F.B. Peck Hose Auxiliary, Senior Citizen Bowling League, and Cohoes Waterford Bocci League.  She worked for many years as a waitress at the Captain’s Table and Bouchard’s Restaurant.  Wife of the late Marcel Vaillancourt. Survivors include her daughters, Joyce (Terry) Sunkes of Waterford, Carol (Richard) LeMay of Waterford, Rose (Richard) Tokarz of Melrose and Diane Vaillancourt of Waterford and the late Alice Crandall and Patricia Norton, 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.  Sister of the late Rene Riel.  Also survived by nieces and nephews.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Requiem Mass at Grace Episcopal Church, 34 3^rd Street, Waterford, on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at 9:30am with Mother Kathy Coons officiating. Inurnment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Waterford.  The family will receive friends at the DUFRESNE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 216 Columbia Street, Cohoes on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, from 5 to 7pm.  Friends who wish to remember Rita in a special way may donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Rectors discretionary fund at Grace Church in her memory.