Monica A. Charest

Monica Ann (McRobbie) Charest, 78, passed away after a long period of illness on Sunday, January 8th, 2023 at Mt. Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Manchester, NH. She was born on December 26th, 1944 in Lawrence, MA. She was the daughter of Charles Ernest McRobbie and Rita M (Toomey) McRobbie.

She was preceded in death by her ex-husband Joseph Charest. They were married from July 7th, 1963 to April 14, 1982 and shared two wonderful children together.

She was predeceased by her siblings Jack, Charlie, Robert, Richard, Kathryn and Mary.

Monica is survived by her brother Michael McRobbie and his wife Cheryl of Florida, her son Joseph Charest Jr. of North Carolina, her daughter Jennifer Caron of Hooksett, NH, her granddaughter Roxanne Ashby and her husband Carl, and her grandsons Trevor Marsella and Alexander Caron.  She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Ryker Ashby, Rhydian Ashby and Callabryn Ashby.

Monica was a Rivier College Alumni with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She dedicated her early life to her two passions: education and faith. She was the Director of Religious Education at St. Augustine’s Church in Lawrence, MA where she enjoyed enriching the minds and hearts of young children. She later went on to teach Kindergarten at St. Patrick’s Parish in Pelham, NH. Her patience and ability to engage her students in learning carried on throughout her years.

Monica followed in her father’s footsteps, following her dreams and had multiple business ventures throughout the years. Monica and her sister Kathy Scott-Blanchard were business owners for many years owning and operating Mac and Rita’s Craft Cottage in Derry, NH where they sold crafts and held painting and sewing classes.

Throughout her life Monica found great joy in teaching sewing classes to everyone, young and old. Through these sewing classes she met some of her most treasured friends, the “Doll Club Ladies”. She taught sewing classes at Audrey’s Sew and Vac in Salem NH and through the Refugee Center in Manchester, NH.  She was the emcee at some of Refugee Center’s annual fashion shows where she came to life on stage describing each garment made by her students.

Her empathetic nature made her a person that people could go to feel comfort and care. She was the quintessential grandma, always sewing Halloween costumes, making sweet goodies to share, everything she did was from her heart. She included everyone in the annual sewing gifts, embroidery scarfs and sweaters were some of her specialties.

She was always growing and acclimated well to new thoughts, ideas, and technologies. Whether it was learning to communicate with the new generation or learning to operate the latest sewing technology.  Her friends and family will miss her entrepreneurial spirit, her loving and caring sentiments and her creative nature.