Priscilla Theresa (Raby) Dichard, 85, a longtime Nashua resident, passed away Saturday evening, October 28, 2017, at the home of her daughter Nancy Collins in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Mrs. Dichard was born in Nashua on December 4, 1931, a daughter of the late Herbert and Malvina (Lorraine) Raby. She grew up in Hudson, NH; was educated in local schools and later earned her GED in 1978. She also attended classes at Rivier College now Rivier University. During her teens, Priscilla worked at the former Benson’s Wild Animal Farm. She and her sister, Doris, performed as “The Raby Sisters” at Fort Devens and other military bases around New England.
After raising her four children, Priscilla worked for a time at the former Horton & Hubbard Luggage Company in Nashua and later became a case worker for the New Hampshire State Welfare at the Nashua office. Following her retirement, she became a civilian volunteer at the Nashua Police Department and was involved in the Neighborhood Watch Program and continued with Officer Robert Henderson of the Senior Relations and Citizens Academy.
Priscilla loved traveling anytime and anywhere; enjoyed shopping at Walmart’s, Christmas Tree Shops and Job Lots. She also enjoyed Peanut Butter Cups, Ice Cream at Sullivan Farms, and loved all animals and her “Cabbage Patch Babies”.
Mrs. Dichard was a communicant of the Parish of The Resurrection and the former St. Francis Xavier Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir for many years. She held membership in the Women’s Auxiliary of the American Legion James E. Coffey Post #3 of Nashua.
Members of her family include her children, Robert Dichard of Amherst, NH, Nancy Collins of Myrtle Beach, SC, Paula Simpkins and her husband Joseph of Taylors, SC and Lucille Cote and her husband Steven of Henniker, NH; her longtime best friend, Gerald Leblond; seven grandchildren, Nathan Collins and his wife Kelly, Aaron Collins and his wife Jessica, Justin Simpkins and his wife Tania, Shawn Simpkins and his wife Davia, Caitlin Simpkins and her partner Joshua Bartlett, Craig Cote and his wife Casey, and Meagan Cote; ten great-grandchildren, Hannah, Owen, Daphne and Penny Collins; Ava and Emma Simpkins; Mackenzie Kesterson; Abbygale Lemieux, Alexis Bartlett and Dexter Cote. In addition to her parents, Priscilla was predeceased by her brothers, Normand and Maurice Raby; her sister, Doris Raby; her grandson, Jeffrey David Collins; and her former husband, Paul F. Dichard.
SERVICES: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Parish of The Resurrection, 449 Broad Street, Nashua, Monday, November 27th at 11 a.m. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will take place in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ.ORG) Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
