Martha E. Riendeau
LYNDEBOROUGH – Martha E. Riendeau, 81, longtime resident of Lyndeborough, NH died on January 12, 2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Brookline, MA on December 8, 1940, the youngest of three children born to John G. Kinnvall, Sr. and Margaret (Edwards) Kinnvall.
Martha attended Kendell Elementary School in Belmont, MA and later moved with her family to Lyndeborough, NH in June of 1948, where she completed her elementary education at Lyndeborough Central School. She graduated from Wilton High School, Class of 1958. Upon graduation she went to work at the American Guernsey Cattle Club in Peterborough, NH and later at PVA where she retired in 2003 after 27 years.
She married Walter L. Riendeau, Sr. on June 25, 1959, a union that lasted 50 years. Martha and Walter renewed their wedding vows in 1999 on their 40th anniversary.
They raised their four children in the Wilton, Milford and Lyndeborough area, trying Lompoc, CA twice but returned to New Hampshire both times. They lived on Salisbury Road where Walter built a Split entry then on Walts Way where he built a Cape, and they settled there for 24 years. After Walter’s passing their granddaughter, Lisa and Donald Cole bought the home and Martha continued to live there until her death.
Martha was active in the choir at churches in Lyndeborough and Milford for several years, and in Scouting for both girls and boys and the 4-H Program, when her children were younger. She was a 50-year member of Puritan Charity Themis Atlantic Chapter #29 Order of Eastern Star. She enjoyed going on trips with her husband, all kinds of animals, wild and domestic, especially birds and deer that frequented their yard. In addition, she also enjoyed puzzles (cryptoquips), dominoes, cards and scrabble when she found a willing partner. Her greatest joy was giving help to people who needed it and didn’t know where it came from. Most of all, Martha loved being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She was predeceased by her husband Walter in 2010, her parents, a sister, Peggy who died in 2003 and a brother, John Kinnvall, Jr. who died in 1951.
Family members include two daughters and sons-in-law, Lorrie and Russell Haskell, Helen and Paul Gawlik; two sons and daughters-in-law, Walter Riendeau, Jr. and Linda Riendeau, all of Lyndeborough, NH, and Laurence and Elaine Riendeau of Ridgecrest, CA; 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
SERVICES: Visiting hours will be on Friday, January 21, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, followed by cremation. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Milford, at a later date. The funeral service on Saturday will be live streamed and can be viewed by visiting the SMITH & HEALD FACEBOOK PAGE.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Lyndeborough Fire Department, 9 Citizens’ Hall Road, Lyndeborough, NH 03082, Wilton Lyndeborough Temple Ambulance, P.O. Box 584, 404 Forest Road, Wilton, NH 03086 or Open Cupboard Pantry, P.O. Box 111, Wilton, NH 03086.
Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.