Obituary of Rita Croteau Rita Croteau, 86, formerly of Beechwood Dr. Clifton Park, beloved wife of 67 years to Paul J. Croteau, peacefully entered into eternal life on Friday, November 23, 2018. Born on December 4, 1931, in Schenectady, she was the daughter of the late Louis Phillip “Phil” and Eva Heins Phoenix and was a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School and Spencer Business Institute, both in Schenectady. Mrs. Croteau had been employed by General Electric in Schenectady and then shortly after her marriage to Paul on September 1, 1951, she became a stay at home mom.
She later reentered the workforce and was a pianist with the Schenectady Light Opera Company (SLOC), with the Mendelssohn Club, and at Mohonasen High School. She also worked at the Schenectady Public Library. Rita loved to travel extensively with her husband Paul throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and North Africa.
Her favorite trip was the Canadian Rockies. Rita was an avid reader who also loved to play and watch tennis. She loved camping with her family.
For many years she served as an usher along with Paul at the Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady as well as SLOC. There they enjoyed many shows. Rita and Paul both held various offices with SLOC.
She was an animal lover of all kinds. She was also a communicant of St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park. Beloved wife of Paul, devoted mother of David (Doreen) Croteau of Clifton Park, Michele Phoenix of Houston, TX, Douglas (Terry Parker) Croteau of North Springfield, VT and Lisa Croteau of Clifton Park, cherished “Grandma” of Robert (Anne) Croteau of Clifton Park, Christopher (Angela) Croteau of Schenectady, Adam (Amy) Croteau of Scotia, Paul (Heather Tremblay) Croteau of Clifton Park, and Matthew Croteau of Nashville, TN, Katrina Sanders (fiancé Danny Ramirez) of Albany and Amanda Garcia of Houston, TX, adored “GG-Ma” of Olivia, Nathaniel and Colton and sister-in-law of Marie Bernasconi of Barre, VT.
Family and friends are invited to meet with Rita’s family on December 15, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Rd. , Clifton Park, NY 12065. A Memorial Mass will be offered at 12:00 noon, and will be followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.
Interment will be held private at the convenience of the family in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Schenectady at a later date. The Croteau family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff at The Eddy Memorial in Troy as well as to the staff of Right At Home – Home Care for all of their excellent care. Those who desire may make contributions in memory of Rita Croteau to the Animal Protective Foundation (APF) at 53 Maple Ave, Schenectady, NY, 12302 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, NENY Chapter, The Meadows, Suite 2, 140 Cty Hwy 33 West, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
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