Rita Falkenham Blakslee

Rita (Falkenham) Blakslee  passed away on October 13

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after a short period of declining health.  She was born in Gilman, VT to Josephine (Denonville) and Oriel R. Falkenham, but lived most of her 87 years in Dalton NH.

In June of 1948, she graduated from Plymouth Teachers College and married her husband of 58 years, Charles H. Blakslee, who predeceased her in 2006.  Together they rescued the house on the Blakslee homestead and welcomed family and friends to their home to stay or to gather. And they did!  The home on the mountain was where lives have been shared and memories have been made for five generations.

Rita (Mrs. Blakslee to many) taught business education at Littleton High School, Whitefield High School, White Mts. Regional High School, and Groveton High School.  As teacher, as chairperson, as curriculum developer, as the teacher who embraced technology, she sent many high school graduates on to employment and careers in associated fields.  Right through the last days of her life, she enjoyed hearing, "You were my teacher."  "Because of you, I have a career/employment." "You made a difference in my world."

In her lifetime she was an active member of the Dalton community.  She was a member of the Dalton school board, Superintendant of the Sunday school and faithful member of the Dalton Congregational Church, a member of the Ladies Aid Society, a member of the Dalton Grange, auditor for the town of Dalton, a board member of Weeks Memorial Hospital, champion for the building of the Dalton Elementary School and White Mts. Regional High School, a gatherer of her childhood/high school friends, a gatherer and supporter of her class and alumni association of Plymouth State College, Class of 1948 , and for over 40 years, a sister to so many wonderful women in her Delta Kappa Gamma sorority.

She was mother to Charlotte (and Jack) Nelson of Manchester, NH, Allen (and Evie) Blakslee of Dalton, and Peter (and Dianne) Blakslee of Littleton, NH.   She was "Grammie" to all of their 5 children. "Great Grammie" to  4 ½.  She was "sister" to  Dr.Elwin (and Mary Jane) Falkenham of Lancaster, NH and Glen (and Joy) Falkenham of Salem and Jefferson, NH., and loved as a sister by her husband's family :  Ralph Blakslee of VT , Margie Couturier of Dalton, Eva Lavoie of Littleton, NH,  Bob Blakslee of Punta Gorda, FL, John Blakslee of Concord, VT , Ida Blakslee of NH and FL, Sylvia Blakslee of the NH Lakes Region, and David Holden of Jaffrey, NH.  She was "Aunt Rita" to her many nieces and nephews and cousins, too.  And so, too, their children.   For many, she made her home their home. For several decades she  hostessed the annual Blakslee Christmas Eve gathering.  And pancake and Blakslee syrup suppers on Sunday night!

On Oct. 26

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we will gather in Dalton to celebrate her life.  A private service will be held at 11:00 at Dalton Congregational Church for family, class members of Dalton High School class of 1944 and guest, class members of Plymouth Teachers College 1948 and guest, sisters of Delta Kappa Gamma, her church family, and others by request or invitation.  (To those who wish to be with her in her little white church feel free to request @ 603-837-9071)  (The Dalton Town Hall by the church will be open.)  Following services at the church, we will gather at the Johns River Cemetery.

In lieu of calling hours and following services, family, friends, students, church family, and the community is invited to the Dalton Municipal Center (the Dalton Elementary School) beginning at 1:00 PM for a luncheon and a celebration of her life.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Dalton Congregational Church  c/o Sue Bean, Dalton Rd, Dalton, NH, or the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority Educational Scholarship c/o Sharon Cormier, 8 Blackstone, Whitefield, NH .