Rachel Flora Gaddis, 90, passed away peacefully at her home in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. on July 18, 2023.

Rachel was born September 13,1932, in Barre, Vt., daughter of the late Alfred and Marquerite Groleax Lehoux. A graduate of Strafford High School in Strafford, N.H., Rachel moved to Boston, Mass., landing her first job as a secretary with Nash Rambler, where she met and married Edward William Gaddis (predeceased June 1996).

Married for 41 years, the couple was blessed with six children: Eileen Combatti (Richard) of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.; Denise Bush (Craig) of Springfield, Va.; Michael Gaddis (Andrea) of Newtown, Conn.; Marie Gaddis of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.; Brian Gaddis (Patricia) of Anderson, S.C.; and Janet Mastroianni (Michael) of Glenwood, Md.

Prior to living in Ocean Isle Beach, Rachel was a resident and active community member for 15 years in Sandy Hook, Conn. Best known for her special interest in the Newtown Newcomers Club, Garden Club, St Rose Women’s Club, and local book club, Rachel was also a talented singer, enjoyed playing the organ, ice skating, birding, and loved vacationing at the beach with her family. Rachel also took special interest as a volunteer at the local elementary schools helping children learn to read.

Rachel will always be remembered as a kind and gentle Christian woman, but most especially as a wonderfully devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her six children and twelve grandchildren: Nick & Chris Bush; Danny & Tim Combatti; Jessica, Eddie & April Gaddis; Patrick, Jameson & Logan Gaddis; Alicia & Dean Mastroianni; and four great-grandchildren: Ralph Combatti, Cassidy Bush, Peter Doyle and Lennon Gaddis.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations to The Garden Club of Newtown Scholarship Fund, 6 Almar Drive, Bethel CT 06801.

A Memorial Service for Rachel will be held on September 16, 2023, 10:30 am, at St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, Conn.