Annette Rinaldi
March 18, 1937 ~ November 18, 2021
Resided in:
Portland, ME
Portland - Annette Rinaldi, 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 18, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Portland on March 18, 1937, Annette was the daughter of the late Charles and Clara (Tanguay) Peters. She attended local Catholic schools. Like her mother before her, Annette earned her degree in education at Gorham State Teachers College (Now University of Southern Maine) and went on to become a very well thought of teacher in the Portland School System. She was a dedicated teacher and truly enjoyed working with young people.
From the time she was a little girl, Annette enjoyed spending summers with her family at Wells Beach. It was there Annette met her husband, William Rinaldi. After her first child was born, Annette left teaching to become a full-time mother.
Music was a big part of Annette's life. She was an accomplished piano player, enjoyed going to concerts and to the theater. Due to several life changes, Annette became an avid reader, reading two to three books per week. Most of all, she was a devoted mother and grandmother.
Early on, she enjoyed traveling to Boston and New York to see the sights and enjoy the theater. Annette spent an unforgettable 8 weeks traveling in Europe. She visited relatives in California and stayed many winters in Florida with her sister and her husband, John. In her later years, she enjoyed spending weekends at Wells Beach and Old Orchard Beach where she and her sister, Virginia, would often go out to dinner and the movies. After selling her home, Annette moved to Park Danforth where she spent many happy years.
Annette was predeceased by her parents; her infant daughter, Theresa; her brother, Paul Peters; and former husband, William Rinaldi.
She is survived by her sister, Virginia Peters Grant; her daughter, Virginia Meserve; grandchildren, Christopher Rinaldi and his wife Meredith (Maddy),Travis Meserve, Jeffrey Meserve, Samantha Bumby and her husband Michael; and her dear great-grandchildren.
Visiting Hours celebrating Annette's life will be held on Tuesday, November 23 from 2-5 PM at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 24 at 10AM followed by an 11AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph's Church, 672 Stevens Ave., Portland. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. To view Annette's memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
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Annette had the biggest smile for everyone I remember a few times going down to see her with Ginnie an she would joke with me an then that smile she lit up the room as I got to know her I called her Mom she was a beautiful soul gonna miss her Love you Mom
– Dorothy Merrill
Virginia & family: Was so very sorry to hear about Annette. She was such a dear, sweet soul & I thoroughly enjoyed seeing her on our regular visits. My sincere condolences to you & her family. Caryn Radziucz
– Caryn Radziucz
First please allow me to extend my condolences to the family of Miss Peters/Mrs. Rinaldi. Miss Peters was my favorite teacher of all times. It was in 1962-63 when she was a young and energetic teacher that I was completely taken by her creativeness in the classroom and…best of all..she played the piano! It was then that I decided to become a teacher. During my time at Cummings School my mother became PTA president and invited my father, Joseph Penna, to sing for a meeting. I immediately volunteered my favorite teacher to play the piano for him. She was so very nervous…but rose to the occasion. Later I believe that my father sang for her wedding and marriage to William. Although I don’t remember seeing her much after the 1960’s, I would hear about Annette and her family through my parents. I eventually became a music teacher-however, I have always said that my other choice would have been as a 3rd grade teacher. It was always my favorite grade as an elementary music teacher too! Thank you Miss Peters/Mrs. Rinaldi for setting the foundation and the wonderful memories you have given me. May you now be at peace with your beloved William and baby daughter in heaven.
– Nancy Penna Curran
I send my sympathy and very best wishes to Annette’s family, especially her sister Ginny and daughter Ginny… I did not know Annette for long, but grew very fond of her in the brief time our paths crossed near this end of her life.
– Nancy Nickerson
I didn’t know her by “Annette”, or even “Mrs. Rinaldi”. To me and my classmates in the third grade at Cummings School in ’61-’62 she was “Miss Peters”. She was a young 24 year old teacher charged with a room full of at least 35 kids. I was an 8 year old less-than-easy kid to keep under control but Miss Peters got the job done. We respected her, we paid attention to her and from time to time incurred her wrath when we stepped out of line. What really made me realize what this lady was made of came much later. I lost my dad in 1978 when I was 26. It was a very difficult time for me and my family. I so clearly remember that evening at the funeral home where we were holding visitation. Before many people had showed up, in walked Miss Peters (Mrs. Rinaldi by then). After all those years she took the time to come see us and offer her condolences to us personally. I’m 68 years old now and that memory is still there. Thank you Miss Peters for getting me through the third grade, and thank you for being there for us many years later. Please accept my condolences to her family. Rest in peace Miss Peters. Your work here is done. Bob Gervais
– Bob Gervais
annette was my neighbor here at park danforth for many years and also came to b a dear, loving friend. our sunday dinners together was a highlight of my week, after annette returned from mass, where, she assured me, she had said a[sorely-needed!]] prayer for me. i also looked forward to our friday laundry dates together, and, with covid, haven’t been in touch with annette, as much as i should have, and that is truly my loss. i loved my annette, and will miss her always.
– anthony strodel