Leonie Riendeau

WEST STEWARTSTOWN – Leonie Laura Riendeau, 105, of Colebrook, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the Coos County Nursing Hospital in West Stewartstown. She was born at home in East Hereford, Que., on Oct. 30, 1915, the first-born daughter to the late Emmaneul and Rosa (Adams) Beloin. With three sisters and ten brothers, Leonie grew up fast, learning to cook, clean and care for her siblings. Due to the responsibility of being the eldest daughter, Leonie was only able to complete a sixth-grade education. She attended secondary school for a short time in Paquetteville, Que., but was needed at home to help with the chores. Her family owned a dairy farm and a logging business, and they would take wood to the mill first by horse and later by truck. In the winter, the family took turns going to church on Sundays because the sleigh was not large enough to accommodate all of them. On Aug. 26, 1939, she married Philip Leon Riendeau, son of Rosa (Duranleau) and Moise Riendeau of Hereford Hills, Que. They bought a dairy farm south of the village where their first five children were born. In 1947, they bought the Corbett Farm on South Hill in Colebrook, and were later blessed with four more children over the next several years. Her youngest brother, George, also came to live with them and attended school in Colebrook. In 1960, they left the dairy farm and bought a house on the corner of Parsons and Pleasant Streets in Colebrook where the Mohawk River ran below their home to the mill located at the foot of Cooper Hill. It was at this time that they also became U.S. citizens and Leonie learned to drive which she was proud to do. Later in her life she would pick up her friends every day and drive them all to the local Senior Meals. For many years, she worked at the Colebrook Country Club which was next door to her home. When the Hebert family owned and operated the club, they promoted her to be manager of the housekeeping staff and she continued to work at the club well in her 80s. She continued to be very independent until failing health necessitated a move to the Coos County Nursing Hospital in 2008. Leonie loved her family, friends and her flower gardens. There was always something to eat when the family gathered together and her most famous dish was the Canadian Cream Cake. She is survived by her nine children: Robert Riendeau of Brookline, N.H., Donald (Denise) Riendeau of Rhode Island, Raoul (Beth) Riendeau of Colebrook, Gaston ‘Jack’ (Sandra) Riendeau of Colebrook, Pauline (William) Weir of Colebrook, Luc Riendeau of Colebrook, Yolande (Phil) Dauphinais of Colebrook, Guy (Celeste) Riendeau of Colebrook, and Micheline (Tom) Brooks of Colebrook; two brothers, George and Ernest Beloin of Quebec; 28 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren; as well as countless cousins, nieces and nephews. Leonie is predeceased by her husband of 37 years, Philip, in 1976, as well as 8 brothers and 3 sisters. There are no public calling hours. A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, July 23, 2021, at 11 a.m. at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Colebrook, with interment to immediately follow at St. Brendan’s Cemetery. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Leonie Riendeau

October 30, 1915 - July 3, 2021