Anita Caisse

Anita Mary (Melanson) Caisse, 87, of Ashburnham, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 20, 2025, at UMass Memorial HealthAlliance - Clinton Hospital in Leominster after a brief illness.

Born in Minto, New Brunswick, Canada, on June 14, 1938, Anita moved to Gardner, Massachusetts, in 1957 as a teenager. She was the daughter of the late Ernest and Eva (Bourgeois) Melanson.

She began her working years at LeBlanc's Clothing in Gardner and later worked in the cafeteria at J.R. Briggs Elementary School in Ashburnham. Anita spent many years as a Bakery Manager at Donelan's Supermarket, where she was admired for her dedication and strong work ethic.

A devoted parishioner of St. Denis Church in Ashburnham, Anita's greatest joy in life was her family. She cherished time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and had a lifelong love of baking, knitting, and crocheting.

Anita is survived by her two sons, Dennis Caisse and his wife Bonny of Westminster and James Caisse of Ashburnham; three grandchildren, Morgan Zbikowski and her husband Alec, Hanna Rameau and her husband Max, and Ryan Caisse; and two great-grandchildren, Penny and Marshall Rameau.

She also leaves behind two sisters, Doris Vienneau of Gardner and Donna Dion and her husband Wayne of Florida; her sister-in-law, Claudette Melanson of Leominster; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Francis Caisse; her brother, Donald Melanson; and her sister, Norma Frigon.

Calling Hours will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Funeral Services will follow at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be held at St. Denis Cemetery, Kelton Street, Ashburnham, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Anita M. Caisse, in honor of her brother Don, to the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter, 200 Friberg Parkway, Suite 1002, Westborough, MA 01581, or online at (www.als.org/massachusetts).

Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, PO Box 455, Gardner, MA 01440, has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.boucherfuneral.com.