Rita J. Raiche

With loved filled broken hearts, we come together to inform you that Rita suddenly left this world being comforted by her loving family, due to unexpected complications of heart disease. Rita was born in her childhood home the 7th of 13 children to Celestina (Colaruso) and Michael Matarozzo. She was raised on her family's 165 acre farm on Fordway Extension in Derry, formerly known as The Daniel Webster Homestead.

Rita attended Pinkerton Academy and worked at The Family Drug Store in Derry where she met her husband of 69 years, Onil Raiche. They married in 1956 and bought the abutting property to her parents where they developed and ran Niel's Mobile Home Park among other businesses. Rita worked for Yum Yum Bakery for a brief time. She spent her life devoted to raising her two children, caring for her grandchildren and taking in many as her own, relentlessly, which she will forever be remembered for.

Rita's passion was cooking for all to enjoy whether it be at her table or yours, there was always enough well known meatballs to go around. She also loved growing herbs, especially mint that she dried, jarred and shared. We will never forget her love of Christmas when her house was decorated like a hallmark movie, but better. Nothing was more important to her than her family, it was the highlight of her life and her home was the central gathering location for all.

Over the years many family members lived within 1/4 mile of her which brought her an immense amount of joy. Living with and then next door to her for over 40 years, her son Niel and wife Shelley were not only there for her at a moments notice, but became her and her husbands around the clock caregivers, with a helping hand from a very special niece, Judy Kilham. She will be missed beyond measure, how very lucky we were to have loved her.

She leaves behind her devoted husband Onil, her daughter, Debra Bayley and husband Kevin of Bethlehem, NH, her son Niel Raiche and wife Shelley of Derry, NH, four grandchildren, to each she had a unique bond with, Andrea Lovett of Gorham, NH, Holly Plaisted and husband Jeffrey of Eastham, MA, Bretton Raiche of Derry, NH and Nicholas Raiche of Derry NH, her great grandchildren Beau, Becca, Bennett, and Julian, Sister Lillian Kennedy of Palm Bay FL, Brothers, James Matarozzo of Collbran, CO and Ralph Matarozzo of Hubert, NC, an abundance of cherished nieces, nephews, friends and an array of honorary family members.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday July 15, 2025 at 11:00am at the NH State Veteran's Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, share a home cooked meal with someone you love, as she would have.