Rita Martha (Shackford) Colcord

Madison, N.H. ― Rita Martha (née Shackford) Colcord joined God’s blessed hands on April 21, 2025.

Rita was born June 14, 1932 to the late Jesse E. Shackford I and Pauline (Hurd) Shackford. She graduated from Kennett High in 1950. She had several careers and retired from the Conway USPS Office. She was the Madison Baptist Church treasurer, taught Sunday School, helped at the Food Pantry and baked yummy rolls (which her daughter cannot duplicate) for Church suppers.

She went ice skating once and met her handsome future husband. She married Robert Colcord on October 1, 1950. They were blessed with 58 years together.

Rita went all out with volunteering for her children’s events. She made coffee and sandwiches for Madison Fire Department emergencies. We don’t recall when the Madison Fire Department started using alert plectrons, but Mom had one past its prime. It was a way for her to keep her husband’s public service close to her heart.

Rita is survived by her children; Karen Phetteplace (Gary), Robert Colcord Jr. (Karen) and Richard Colcord. She has four beloved grandchildren; Eric, John, Jesse, Nicholas, and two beautiful great-granddaughters; Carter and Hadley.

She is survived by her sister Beverly Graves. She is predeceased by four sisters; Ellen Green, Betty Lyman, Mildred Baker and Cornelia Comer and four brothers; Joseph, Mayhew, Loren Sr. and Jesse Jr. Shackford. She is predeceased by her husband and infant son; Douglas.

She had a huge plethora of compassionate helpers. We convey heartfelt gratefulness to ALL (Aunt Ruthie, Aunt Shirley, Aunt Beverly, Uncle Sonny, Aunt Pat-Pat, Cousin Emily, Willy, Cousin Lori, Clinton, Silver Lake Landing friends [Sandy, Millie, Karen, Jane, Marlene, Maxine, Shirley, Bruce and many other special folk], Pastor Dunker-Bendigo, Pastor Smith, Paster Anderson and our deep apologies to others missing from this list. She held onto her independence as long as she could which your Christian thoughtfulness made possible. Providing help was truly a “pay it forward” village for someone who lived on Village Road!

Mom; thank you for the precious moments that we had with you and for your unconditional love. We miss you today and we’ll miss you all the tomorrows.

Lord Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and burial will be private by the family.

Memorial donations may be made to the Madison Baptist Church, P.O. Box 119, Madison NH 03849.

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