Obituary of Beatrice Rioux
With heavy hearts, the family of Beatrice Eva (Duval) Rioux announce her passing on July 19th, 2025, at the age of 95. Beatrice spent the better part of a century loving, nurturing, lifting, and inspiring every person who had the privilege of knowing her kind spirit. Born on the 2nd of March 1930 in Chicopee, MA to Loretta (Gendron) and Alfred Duval, Beatrice grew up surrounded by a strong family of loving sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
After graduating from Chicopee High School in 1947, Beatrice attended The College of Our Lady of the Elms. Beatrice completed her Bachelor's degree in 1951 and with her mathematics background began a career at Hamilton Standard. During this time, Beatrice was introduced to a dashing young Marine right before he was set to ship out for Korea. After falling for each other at a local gathering, their love grew in the old-fashioned way- through letters written throughout his deployment. On September 5th, 1955, Beatrice and Roger Rioux married and started their next chapter together on Forest Street in Chicopee. In 1958, Beatrice stepped away from Hamilton Standard to start their family. In 1961, Beatrice and Roger moved to West Springfield, MA where Beatrice dedicated her time to raising four beautiful children, Ellyn, Tom, Sue and Anne. As the children got older, she decided it was time for her to grow as well. In 1973, Beatrice earned her Master's Degree in elementary education from American International College in Springfield, MA. Moving once again in 1975, this time to a seaside home on Cape Cod, Beatrice continued her career as a remedial Math and Reading teacher in the Nauset School System, which she held until retirement. Beatrice and Roger moved to Palmer, MA, in 2002, before settling down for the last time in Danielson, CT, in 2009. Beatrice was an avid reader her entire life, always recommending books to anyone who would listen. In her final years, Beatrice became fascinated, in particular, with the Amish and their quiet, committed way of life. She was an artist with a sewing machine, and later in life had a passion for quilting. Beatrice was a sharp card shark and enjoyed besting her friends over weekly game nights. Her friends and family always enjoyed her angelic singing voice, and her smiles & hugs were known to brighten the darkest of days. Beatrice was also a dedicated woman to her Faith as an active member of the Catholic Church, as well as an Eucharistic Minister. Above all, Beatrice holds a vibrant place in the hearts of those closest to her as the most wonderful Wife, Mother, and Memere.
Beatrice leaves behind four children and their spouses, Ellyn, Thomas (Karen), Susan (Edward Soja), and Anne (Scott) Tessier, her seven grandchildren, Gregory (Berkeley), Emmanuelle (Shawn) Sessier, Kathryn, Christopher, Jeremiah, Julia, and Gabrielle, and two great grandsons, Waylon and Ryan, along with extended family, cousins, nephews and her children's former spouses, all of whom Beatrice touched deeply. Beatrice was preceded by her late husband and true love, Roger and her grandson, Cameron. Her family is comforted by the fact that she has joined them in heaven, along with her sisters and parents, whom she missed dearly. Beatrice's legacy is one of compassion, courage, resilience, integrity, knowledge, and deep, unshakable faith. She shared a unique and individual bond with each one of her children and grandchildren. There are no words to express the brightness Beatrice brought to the world and even more so to all who knew and loved her, for they will forever carry a special warmth in their heart, the warmth she shared every day.
A calling hour will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 PM at Our Lady of La Salette Church, 25 Providence Road, Brooklyn, CT. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery Dayville, CT. Share a memory at Smithandwalkerfh.com