Rita L. Quesnel

HIGHGATE – Rita L. Quesnel, age 46, passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2021 during a medical procedure at the North Shore University Hospital in NY, with her husband by her side.

She was born in Burlington on September 29, 1974 to the late Bernard & Bonnie (Hogaboom) Mathieu.  

Rita married Robert, her soul mate, with thousands of witnesses at a Nascar Race in Loudon, NH on June 26, 2009. They had the perfect family which was Rita’s biggest accomplishment in life. She loved nothing more than to be surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and friends, especially while camping. She was a hard worker and had recently earned a promotion at work, the Northwest State Correctional Facility where she had dedicated the past 7 years of her life. Rita was also proud of her jobs at Fletcher Allen Healthcare and as a Pharmacy Tech. Rita will always be remembered for the never-ending love and support, she always offered her family, her favorite color purple, her love for #88 Dale Jr., camping and trips to Maine for Lobster Rolls.     

She is survived by her husband, Robert Quesnel of Highgate; children, Melinda Quesnel and her significant other Mike Gebo of Swanton, Shelby Michel and her husband Charles of Swanton, Kevin Cosgrove of Milton, Kirsten Mathieu of Alburgh, Kaleb Cosgrove of Bellows Falls, Jr. Cosgrove and Parker Quesnel both of Highgate; grandchildren, Gauge Michel, Austin Cosgrove, Jaydan Quesnel, Linken and Emberley Mathieu; mother and father-in-law, Judy and Bernard Fitzpatrick of Essex; special grandparents, Connie and Bob Cosgrove of Alburgh; special friends, Rich and Tammy Parks, Amy Doe and William “Pudgie” and Adrienne Daniels; beloved family pets, Oliver and Lexie; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Besides her parents, Rita was predeceased by her brother, Freddie Mathieu, and her beloved family dog, Diesel.    

Family and friends are invited to Rita’s Life Celebration events to include visitation from 12-1:00 PM on Friday, July 23, 2021 at The Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Ave., Swanton, VT 05488, with a Memorial Service to follow at 1:00 PM. Interment will take place at a later date in the family plot in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, 996 Main Street, Fairfax, VT.   

For those who wish, contributions in Rita’s memory may be made to the UVM Children’s Hospital, 111 Colchester Ave., Burlington, VT 05401, or The Ronald McDonald House Charities, 16 S. Winooski Ave, Burlington, VT 05401.

Goss Life Celebration Homes is the area’s exclusive provider of Life Celebration events. Please visit our website to share condolences, photos and favorite memories at www.gossfs.com