A Past President of the R.I. Insurance Women’s Association
Brentwood –Rita Julia (Desrochers) Messier 89, formerly of Lincoln, RI and Spring Hill, FL, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025. Born in Central Falls, R.I. to Louis and Rose (Bouchard) Desrochers, she was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Hector A. Messier, who passed away in 2019.
After graduating from Notre Dame High School in Central Falls, Rita began her career in the insurance industry as a secretary at Pawtucket Mutual and at Carden & Kenny Insurance in Pawtucket, RI.. A Past President of the R.I. Insurance Women’s Association, she continued her education in the field until she achieved the Accredited Advisor in Insurance designation. She purchased the LaFrance–Dunn Agency in 1981, becoming the first woman in R.I. to own an agency. She also taught classes on insurance to aspiring agents. Hector and Rita moved to Spring Hill, FL. In 1998 where she lived until 2021 when she moved to NH.
Rita and Hector were active in St. Edward Catholic Parish in Pawtucket, RI, teaching Confirmation classes and Pre Cana marriage prep classes to young people, some of whom became lifelong friends. They also served as coheads of the Parish Council. They continued to be active in the St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Spring Hill, FL and volunteered for a decade at the HPH Hospice Center in Brooksville, FL.
The couple enjoyed world travel. Rita readily admitted that she did not enjoy cooking and always said that “her favorite recipe was a reservation.” They will be remembered most for their love of dancing, in spite of Rita’s challenge with rheumatoid arthritis that affected her hands and feet. After Hector passed, even when she had to use a rollator, she would waltz around the room proclaiming that “she had taught her rollator to dance.”
In addition to her parents and husband, Rita was predeceased by her sister Theresa (Desrochers) Tanguay and her brother-in-law Paul. She leaves behind her brother Edouard Desrochers and his wife Claire of Exeter, NH, as well as numerous nieces and nephews
The family wishes to thank the staff at The Residence at Timber Pines, Spring Hill, FL, Cornerstone at Hampton, Hampton NH, Brookhaven Hospice and especially Rockingham County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their love and support.
In lieu of flowers, please consider having a Mass said at your local parish or a donation in Rita’s name to the Rockingham County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (RCRNC), 117 North Rd. Brentwood, NH 03833.
Service will be private. She will be interred with Hector in the National Cemetery for Veterans in Bushnell, FL.
