Rita Ann Nicolai

FORT EDWARD – Rita Ann Nicolai, 89, of Putnam Avenue, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at her home.

Born on April 4, 1930, in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Elvira (Cafarelli) Nicolai.

Rita graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1948, and then attended Massachusetts Bay Community College in Newton, Massachusetts.

She had several places of employment, starting with General Electric in Fort Edward, before moving to the Boston area, where she resided for 46 years.

Following her job at GE, she worked as the Principal’s Secretary at Brookline High School, where she retired in 1995.  She then worked as a part time aide at Waltham Public Schools.  She was also an aide at several fitness classes taught at Glens Falls Public Schools.  She loved working with kids.

Rita was also an extremely active member of the community, volunteering at St. E’s in Brighton, the Waltham Hospital Gift Shop, the Glens Falls Hospital Guild, Kingsbury Fort Edward Senior Center, and the Warren County Historical Society. She was an active member of the Rosary Altar Society and sang in the choir at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.

In her free time, she enjoyed playing boardgames, watching sports-especially tennis, basketball and baseball, as she was a fan of the Celtics, the Yankees and the Red Sox, attending the theater, listening to most music and spending time with her beloved nieces, nephews and cats.    In her retirement, Rita was a proud member of the Twisted Twirlers.


Besides her parents, Rita was predeceased by her nephew, Ted Merrill; her sisters, Viola Merrill and Jean N. Pardee.

Survivors include her sister, Olga Nicolai-Larocque; her nieces and nephews, Beth, Tim, Patrick Merrill, Tami Burton, Derek Pardee, Joseph Pardee, Renee Turton, Larry Pardee, and Chad Pardee; and several great nieces and great nephews.

As per Rita’s wishes, there will be no public calling hours.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 1 p.m.

Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Edward.

Donations may be made in Rita’s name to either St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church, 11 Wall Street, Hudson Falls or to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, 1 Marcus Blvd. #104, Albany, NY  12205.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY.

Rita A. (Nicholson) French

French, RitaSOUTH GLENS FALLS – Rita A. (Nicholson) French, 90, of South Glens Falls, passed away on Friday, January, 20, 2017, at Saratoga Hospital.

Born on November 21, 1926, in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of the late John P. and Elizabeth “Betty” (Wells) Nicholson.

Rita was a graduate of Adirondack Community College, receiving her RN degree in 1967. She obtained her administrative license for nursing homes and attended Florida International University to further her nursing education. In 1971, she opened Eden Park Nursing Home, now called The Pines, on Warren Street in Glens Falls, serving as an administrator. In 1976, Rita moved to Florida, and served as Administrator for Easter Manor Nursing Home in Fort Pierce, FL. She was also an adjunct faculty for the Nursing Department at Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce. Upon returning to Glens Falls, Rita returned to the medical field, working for Dr. Thomas Coppens, MD at Irongate Center, then finally retiring for the 4th time.

Her husband George E. French, passed away in 1990.

Rita was a communzzicant of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s. She enjoyed gardening, roses and boating. Rita especially loved her grandchildren and was considered the family historian.

In addition to her parents and husband, Rita is predeceased by her two children, Thomas E. French in 2008, and Richard M. French in 2006; her daughter-in-law, Susanne French in 2012; and her sister Patricia LaBelle in 2007.

Survivors include, her daughter, Cynthia French of South Glens Falls; her son, Daniel M. French and his wife, Kristine of Colorado; her son Vincent M. French and his wife, Vickie of Florida; her grandchildren: Christine Mitchell of Florida, David French of Florida, Adam French of Colorado, Kyle French of Colorado, Elanna French of Colorado, Janean Sisler of Florida, Richard French, II of Florida, Vanessa Chosewood of Florida, Andrew French of Florida, Jessica Ansel of Florida; 14 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; her brother, Richard Nicholson and his wife, Kay of Queensbury; her sister, Corleen Daly and her husband, Leonard of Kingsbury; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Friends are invited to call on Friday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. at 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday at 11 am at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls, with the Reverend Thomas Babiuch officiating.

The Rite of Committal will take place at the family’s convenience.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s name can be made out to St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s, 11 Wall St, Hudson Falls, NY 12839, or a charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to thank the Saratoga Hospital nursing staff, Dr. Wang, Dr. Waters, and the Palliative Care team for their special care.