Mrs. Rhea M. Brais, 77, of 9 Randall Court, passed away on Friday evening, September 17, 2010 at her home under the loving care of her family and Hospice, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.
Rhea was born July 6, 1933 in Massena, the daughter of the late Alcide and Beatrice Deschamp Brabant. She graduated from Massena High School in 1951. On June 21, 1952, she married Raymond R. Brais at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. Donald Sequin, officiating.
Rhea first worked at Alcoa for a short time. She later worked as a clerk at MH Fishman’s for a few years.
She was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and an active member of the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Democratic Club, League of the Sacred Heart, and Altar and Rosary Society.
She was an avid golfer, enjoyed playing cards and entertaining her many family members and friends. She enjoyed spending winters in Florida for the past several years. She was a very devoted mother and grandmother. Rhea was always there for everyone, always thinking of others before herself.
Rhea is survived by her loving husband, Ray; two children, Michael Brais and his wife, Linda of Coventry, RI, Patricia Raiti and her husband, Charles of Massena; four grandchildren, Heather Raiti of Alexandria, VA, Jason Raiti of Cincinnati, Angela Raiti of Poughkeepsie, Steven Brais of Rhode Island; two step-grandchildren, Christopher Burley of RI and Erin Burley of RI and several loving nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by five brothers and five sisters, Roger, Rejane, Evelyn Post, Andra, Ronald, Carman Prashaw, Simon, Lillian, Gerald, and Lena.
Friends may call at the Donaldson Funeral Home, on Monday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Rev. J. Michael Gaffney and Rev. Jack L. Downs, con-celebrating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Massena.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s/St. Joseph’s Memorial Fund or to St. Lawrence Valley Hospice.
Condolences may be made online at www.donaldsonfh.com
