Rae Marie Bruce

Rae Marie Bruce, age 89, passed away on BLANK, in Nashua, NH, after living at The Hunt Community in Nashua, NH, for many years. Rae was married to Rev. W. Ralph Bruce (deceased) and was the daughter of Kenneth and Esther Cota. She was born in Burlington, VT, and spent her youth in Vermont and northern New Hampshire.

Rae’s parents encouraged her to pursue higher education at a time when many did not think young women should. With their support she graduated from UNH. She became an accomplished high school English teacher, working at Merrimack High School before her retirement. She especially enjoyed teaching creative writing and received awards and gave presentations at professional conferences. Rae also earned a M.A. in English and an MFA in Writing (poetry). She both self-published her poetry (The Glorious Disorder) and had her poems accepted to numerous New England-based journals. She was a lifelong voracious reader. As a child, librarians at first doubted she was actually reading the large number of books she checked out.

Apart from her professional life, Rae had a rich personal life. She was an active minister’s wife, most recently when her husband was the pastor of Main Street United Methodist Church (Nashua, NH) and St. James United Methodist Church (Merrimack, NH). In addition, she especially loved time with her grandchildren and family, quiet mornings on the front porch at her lake cottage, and pastel painting.

Rae is survived by her son Kenneth Stewart and his wife Andrea; her daughter Heather Stewart and her partner Paul Quanbeck; her stepson David Bruce; her stepdaughter Donna Bruce; her brother David Cota; as well as many beloved grandchildren and extended family.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday August 22nd at 10:00 AM at Main Street United Methodist Church located at 154 Main St in Nashua, NH, with a burial to follow at the Last Rest Cemetery in Merrimack, NH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rae’s memory can be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, PO Box 1517, Nashua, NH, 03061