Exeter, NH: Rita H. (Dube) Betournay of Atkinson and Exeter, NH, passed peacefully on June 10, 2025, a week shy of her ninety-third birthday. Born Rita Helen Dube to Lawrence and Delphine Dube on June 17, 1932, she grew up on the family farm in Haverhill, MA along with her parents, grandparents, sister and cousins.  Summering with her family on Country Pond as a girl she met her late husband Harvin (Jim) Betournay and went on to raise their family in Atkinson until they moved into the Riverwoods Exeter retirement community in 2010.

Her family was always the focus of her life. Perhaps influenced by her experiences on Country Pond, she would go on to enjoy many years with her family on St John USVI  and her favorite place, Lake Wentworth, Wolfeboro NH.  She loved the outdoors, especially being out on the water exploring the lake's quiet corners and admiring the water lilies from the 1937 Old Town canoe that her husband lovingly restored many years ago.  Ironically, given the lumber business she built with her husband, she was at heart a conservationist, forbidding the cutting of trees and committing land to conservation easements.  An avid reader, Rita consumed an immeasurable volume of books in her lifetime.   A very talented and prolific artist she enjoyed several awards for her many paintings and was an active member of the Greater Haverhill Art Association and had also served as a board member and President.  She was also involved in the Atkinson Women's Club and Atkinson Garden Club through the years.

She is survived by and deeply missed by her four children Kathy Shea (Gary Ouellette) of Atkinson NH, Jeanne (Albert) Lanseigne of Hopkinton MA, Suzanne (Allen) Credit of Groveland MA and David (Karen) Betournay of Greenland NH, nine grandchildren, Cristina (Mike) Karrat of Hopkinton MA, Samantha Credit of Andover MA, Michelle Credit of Groveland MA, Brian (Ashlie) Shea of Salem NH, Allison (Keith) Ratte of Methuen MA, Matthew Shea of Medford MA, Delaney Shea of Brooklyn NY, Skyler and Paige Betournay of Greenland NH as well as four great grandchildren.

The family will be holding a private memorial.  In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Lake Wentworth Watershed Association (wentworthwatershed.org) which works diligently to conserve the lake she so loved. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit: brooksidechapelfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Brookside Chapel & Funeral  Home of Plaistow, NH.