Rita Purmort
Age - 102
November 30, 2023
Goshen, NH: Rita Emma Purmort passed away Monday November 27th, 2023 at the age of 102. Rita was born January 8, 1921 in Barrington, RI. Daughter of Aldea (Goodreau) and Amos Trudeau, Jr. Days after her birth, Rita's parents returned home to their Goshen farmhouse on Page Hill Road, where she lived until 1927, when they purchased their iconic white farm on the sharp corner, also known as Purmort's Corner. As a graduate of Towle High School Class of 1937, she met the love of her life, Richard Purmort. Both she and Richard served their country during World War II. A member of the US Navy WAVES (Women Accepted For Volunteer Emergency Service), Rita was stationed in Suitland, MD at the national Hydrographic Office mapping ships. While in service, she and Richard married July 20, 1945. After the war, she returned back to her family farm in Goshen, where they worked the dairy farm and grew acres of corn; the family would market the family crop to area restaurants and grocery stores, as well as selling at the farm. For those that knew her, her garden was her favorite place to be. In past summers she was seen daily with her walker, and using her hoe as a cane, taking pride with her work. Besides corn, she planted and harvested various other delights which she proudly shared with family and friends. Her family would help her in later years, and many would drive by and honk while she worked alone. Though she would say "I have two hoes, and nobody ever stopped to help me. " An ardent Boston Red Sox fan, it didn't matter if the game was home or away, East Coast or West, Rita would be glued to her TV for every pitch. She would complain when the team was doing terrible, and be cautiously excited when they were on a hot streak. You could always ask Rita how the Red Sox were doing and she would tell you exactly how she felt about them. In her younger years, she was an avid hunter and fisherman, and was noted for being an all around outdoors person. Over the decades, Rita gave back to her community. She was a past member of Goshen's ZBA, Conservation Commission, Budget Committee, Supervisor of the Checklist, and Historical Society, in 1958 she was one of the first members of the Goshen-Lempster School Board, a past president of the Goshen-Lempster PTC, was instrumental in the construction of the Goshen-Lempster Little League field, was a lifetime member of the Twin Ridge Mountaineers Snowmobile Club, was one of four members that started the Newport Booster Club in 1965, her 1936 State Champion field hockey team is a member of the Newport Athletic Hall of Fame, was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Sunapee Mountain Grange in 1984, was a proud member of the American Legion Post 25, Newport and VFW Aux. Post 808, Claremont and on her 100th birthday, was awarded the newly created Goshen Cane by the Board of Selectmen. She was preceded by her husband Richard who left us January 23, 1989, parents Amos and Aldea, brother Norman (Buck) Trudeau and sister Lorraine Nichols. Rita is survived by her daughters Beverly Hamilton (and husband Robert) of Goshen and Christine Smith (and husband Fredric) of Goshen, grandchildren Shari Markle, David Hamilton, Steven Smith and Shannon Smith, as well as great grandchildren Cole, Kendall, Tyler, and Harper, and great-great grandchild Paxton. For 102 years, Rita loved Goshen and passed away on her terms in her lifelong home. At her request, there will be no calling hours. She has asked to be buried with her beloved Richard. Please, family flowers only. In Rita's memory, please consider donating to the Olive G Pettis Library Discovery Park Fund, P. O. Box 57, Goshen, NH 03752. The family would like to thank the White River Junction V. A. home based primary care for their care and support. Rita was one of the last from the Greatest Generation, always told you how she felt, had an amazing memory, loved her town and country, and her corn was delicious and the best! She will be missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 32 Beech St. , Newport, NH. Following the Mass, a gathering in remembrance will be held at the Assumption Hall. Committal prayers with military honors will be held later in the spring and will be announced on our website. Arrangements are respectfully being handled by Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, in Newport.
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