MANCHESTER—Mrs. Helene “Dolly” Elaine (Dube) Rapsis, 90, died peacefully on Friday, April 20, 2018 after a brief illness and a period of declining health. She was born on Dec. 17, 1927 in Nashua, N.H., the daughter of Peter and Ruth (Bradley) Dube and was a lifelong resident of the city until her recent need for nursing care.
She was educated in Nashua schools and was a member of Nashua High School’s Class of 1945. She completed a two-year degree at the former Nashua Business College, serving as president of her class. Following graduation, she worked as office manager at the former Rollins Engine Co. of Nashua.
In 1953, she married John “Jack” A. Rapsis of Nashua. The couple enjoyed 15 years together before Jack’s untimely death in 1968, after which she devoted her energy to raising the couple’s three young sons. As a single parent, she taught her sons how to bait a hook, to be self-reliant, and to follow their own path wherever it led. In addition, for many years she took care of her mother, who was afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease.
Nicknamed “Dolly” in childhood, she enjoyed being the life of the party, but also savored quiet time alone. She had a special fondness for animals, often taking in stray creatures, and throughout her life was never without at least one bird, cat, or dog.
Dolly’s love of travel first appeared in 1948, when she joined friends on an epic road trip to Florida that included unintentionally joining a funeral procession through Brooklyn, N.Y. She later visited many countries throughout the world, including New Zealand and China, but was always happiest in New Hampshire among her pets and working in her garden.
She occupied the family home on Amherst Street for nearly 60 years. More recently, she was a resident of the Courville Community in Manchester. For more than 75 years, Dolly kept in close touch with the “Birthday Girls,” childhood friends from Nashua who included Norma Ryan, Kate McLaughlin, Elizabeth Richard, Pearl Liopus, and Arlene Shapiro.
Dolly was spontaneous, outspoken, generous, and feisty—often all at once.
She was a long-time communicant of the former St. Stanislaus Church of Nashua, N.H., then later St. Patrick’s Church, also of Nashua, N.H. Throughout her life, she was a free thinker who remained capable of wonder at the beauty in life. To paraphrase lyrics of one of her favorite songs, she did it her way.
Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a daughter, Anne Elizabeth; and a brother, Raymond Dube.
She is survived by three sons: John A. Rapsis Jr. of Falls Church, Va. and Hancock, N.H.; Jeffrey A. Rapsis and his wife Susan of Bedford, N.H.; and Jason S. Rapsis and his wife Dana of Deerfield, N.H.; one grandchild, Sheamus Rapsis; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Marion Rapsis of Decatur, Ga.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Calling hours are at the Farwell Funeral Home, 18 Lock St., Nashua, N.H. on Tuesday, April 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. A celebration of Dolly’s life will take place Tuesday evening at the funeral home beginning at 7 p.m., with time for visitation. All are invited. A Ceremony of Burial and Committal will be held on Wednesday, April 25 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Pine Hill Road, Nashua, N.H.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dolly’s memory to the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, 24 Ferry Road, Nashua, NH 03064. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
