Theresa A. Rayta, age 79, of Jeffersonville, VT died peacefully at home on Saturday June 20, 2026. Theresa was born on July 29th, 1946 in Hardwick, VT to the late Henry J and Rosa (Meunier) Patoine.  She was raised and educated in Walden and Hardwick, and married Donald Rayta on May 18, 1968. They were married for 58 years at the time of her passing.

Theresa graduated from Hardwick Academy in 1964 and then attended Burlington College of Cosmetology. She worked as a hairdresser for 40 years, owning her own salon for many years and then working at a local salon in Cambridge. 

Theresa enjoyed knitting, quilting, gardening, baking, making maple syrup, cheering for the Red Sox (and yelling at the television when they messed up), and donating to the casino. 

She leaves behind her husband Donald, son Patrick of Barre, VT, daughter Marie of Jeffersonville, VT, daughter Linda of Quincy MA, six siblings Clement Patoine of Sutton, VT, Frank Patoine and wife Elsie of Walden, VT, Guy Patoine and wife Milly of Hardwick, VT, Lucile Keene of Wolcott, VT, Denise Adams and husband Wendall of Lyndonville, VT, Andrew Patoine of Sheffield, VT, six grandchildren Ricci Sue, Gage, and Brooke Rayta and Daniel, Jessica, and Sabrina Hicks and one great granddaughter Charlotte Duquette. 

Theresa was predeceased by her parents, seven brothers: Leopald, Normand, Fernand, Bernard, Lawrence, Victor, and Henry Patoine and two sisters: Angeline Deschamps and Marguerite Labree.

Friends may call on the family from 4-7 PM Monday evening June 29th at A. W. Rich Funeral Home 1176 Main St. Fairfax.  A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at Saint Mary’s Church, 310 N Main St Cambridge.  Inurnment will follow at Mountain View cemetery in Cambridge.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Copley Hospital Infusion Center  Copley Hospital - Development Office 528 Washington Highway Morrisville, Vt 05661 or the Hospice division of Lamoille Home Health & Hospice 54 Farr Avenue Morrisville, VT 05661.  Please visit www.awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.