Anna Rita (Melanson) Dill, 86, of Salem, NH died Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Nevins Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Rita, as she was known, was born on September 24, 1931 and educated in Cambridge, MA. She was the daughter of the late Anna (LeLievre) and Charles Melanson. Rita graduated from Burdett College in Boston where she received a degree in Secretarial Science. Rita was an accomplished pianist and was offered a full scholarship to Julliard School of Music in New York. She began her working career as an executive secretary for GE. After her marriage to Leonard Dill, she became a homemaker and mother to four children, Michael, William, Barry, and Maureen. She was very active in the PTA, Cub Scouts, where she became a Den Mother, and was very involved in her children's activities and sports.

She then returned to work at Alice Korbey's, a clothing store in Salem, NH, where she stayed until the store's closing. Rita then joined her husband at Rockingham Park, where he was the Assistant General Manager, and became the head of Group Sales, which entailed planning and scheduling all events and banquets.

All throughout her life in Salem, NH, Rita was actively involved in local, state, and national politics, and hosted many events at her house. She was also Chair of the Women's Republican Committee, and was an advocate for the betterment of treatment for individuals under the NAMI program.

Because of their love of horses, Rita and Lenny vacationed during the winter months at Ocala, Florida, a city known for its abundance of thoroughbred horses and breeding farms. "Leave the Gold", a horse they owned and which Rita named, won a number of races before he was retired. Rita was devoted to her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening and hosting many cookouts and parties at her home.

Rita was predeceased by her husband Leonard of 54 years, her son, Barry and her grandson, Nicholas Arvanitis.

Rita will be sadly missed by her children, Michael Dill and wife Middy of Scottsdale, AZ, William Dill of Derry, NH, and Maureen Arvanitis of Salem, NH; her sister, Florence Theriault of Weymouth, MA; her 3 grandchildren, Heather Hetrick, AmyJane McAuley and Kimberly LaShomb and 5 great grandchildren, Stavros and Theodora Hetrick, Kiersten Lowe, Padraig McAuley and Evan LaShomb.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 15th from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Church, 40 Main St. Salem, NH. Burial is in Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita's name may be made to: Nicholas Arvanitis Music Scholarship Fund c/o Santander Bank, 125 Main St., Salem, NH 03079.