Rhoda St. Laurent

Rochester - Rhoda St. Laurent, 69, wife of Paul St. Laurent Jr. of Rochester, was released from the cruel grip of cancer on February 22, 2013 at her home surrounded by her loved ones whom she cherished. Born on February 21, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Manuel and Bertha (Kaufman) Malkin. Rhoda was the youngest sister of Eleanor Fellers of New Gloucester, Maine and Judith Frangos of North Bennington, Vermont. She made a significant contribution to the lives of others, with a profound sense of compassion and willingness to care for all in need: family, friends, children, stepchildren, and pets. She also incorporated a fine sense of humor into all her endeavors. An accomplished quilter, she made quilts for those friends who were having hard times, or for family members and friends as testimony of her love for them. She enjoyed gathering with her Florida friends in recent years during the winter season spent in Port Charlotte. Known for her attention to detail and excellent memory, she was a passionate bridge player, a skill that she learned from her father who took her by the hand to duplicate bridge competitions as a young woman. She was proud to have earned the rank of Silver Life Master in Duplicate Bridge. A graduate of Malden High School, she attended Salem State Teacher's College. She excelled in the workplace where she worked as a real estate broker and in the banking and insurance business. She retired from Liberty Mutual in Dover in 2006. A member of the Farmington, NH Women's Club, she was also a past member and treasurer of the Sunrise Lake Snowmobile Club. She was at one time the Town Treasurer for Middleton as well as a member of its Zoning Board. She was the mother of Leanne Bourque and her husband Brian, and Stuart Barry Bourque of Middleton, NH and grandmother to Shayna, Samantha and Bryce Bourque, all of Middleton and stepmother to Stephen Bourque, Laurie Wilson and Sharon Soyers of Florida, the children of her former husband Paul Bourque. She leaves her husband Paul St. Laurent Jr. and his children, Paul III, Michele, Sandra, Andre and Rebecca. The family thanks Dr. Taylor Ortiz and the Seacoast Cancer Center as well as Cornerstone VNA for their compassionate care during the time of caring for Rhoda and her family. Rhoda will be remembered with love by her family and friends. Family and friends may call Friday March 1, 2013 from 10-11AM at the R.M. Edgerly and Son Funeral Home, 86 S. Main St. Rochester, NH. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM in the chapel of the funeral home. Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.