Rita Claire Pineau

Rita Claire Pineau (May 1935 to Feb 2023)

Rita had a warm smile, welcoming manner and a laugh that made her easy to know.

She was raised in Watertown Massachusetts, the youngest child of Blanche and Wilfred J Pineau (Canadian citizens from PEI). She graduated from Mt. Trinity, and earned a BA in Education from Framingham State and a Master’s degree from Boston University.

She delighted in children and became a reading teacher in Arlington and Holliston Massachusetts, Mountain View California and in Germany.

Throughout her life she remained close with her two sisters (Lorraine Dienst, and Lois Pineau, both now deceased), and many cousins. She maintained a lifelong circle of close friends in Watertown, but also made new friends in Cape Cod when she retired.

She was an accomplished photographer, enjoyed travel and athletics (skier, tennis, bicyclist). She hosted dinners, and organized outings to museums, summer concerts, movies, and consignment stores. Throughout her life she worked in organizations and donated to charities that helped the poor.

She was popular in her extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews, and showed personal interest in all of them. She was famous for her cookies, beach outings, and knowledge of excellent ice cream shops.

Rita retired early from teaching to care for her mother. Later she moved to Harwich and was nicknamed “our lady of the highway” because of her full social agenda in Cape Cod and Watertown.

Her attitude remained positive even as her health declined. She died in Brookdale Hyannis community and had made many friends there.

On Feb. 25, 2023, she will be buried at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Watertown at 11am.

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