Rachel Irene McGahan Belanger, 97, beloved wife of Edmond A. Belanger, died peacefully on Monday, December 5th, in Manchester, CT. surrounded by her children. Rachel was born on October 13, 1919 in Newport, Vermont, the eldest child of the late James Arthur and Emma Dilly Cavanaugh. She was predeceased by her parents and three younger brothers, James Cavanaugh, John Cavanaugh and Merritt Cavanaugh. Rachel graduated from Sacred Heart Grade School and Newport High School. In 1941, She graduated from Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists in Boston, Massachusetts. On April 3, 1943 she married 1st Lt. Chester Edwin McGahan, an Air Force Navigator on a B-24 Bomber. Chester gave his life for his country, when he was killed in 1944 on active duty with the Air Force. After the war, Rachel worked at the Veterans Association Hospital, White River Junction, VT where she met Ed, her beloved husband of over 65 years. They were married on October 16, 1948 in Newport, Vermont. In 1952, Rachel and Ed moved to Manchester, CT, where they enjoyed a wonderful life with their family and many friends for the rest of their lives. She was a communicant of St. James Church. She was a member of the Auxiliary of Manchester Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the Women's Club of Manchester. Rachel worked for several years, as the Dental Hygienist for the Manchester Head Start Program. She will be remembered for her beautiful flower gardens at her home in Manchester, the family cottage at Point O' Woods in East Lyme, CT and at her beautiful home that she built with her husband in Rowe, MA. Rachel greatly appreciated the works of artist Wallace Nutting and in later years she painted lovely watercolors herself. Rachel was a remarkable young woman. She played tenor sax in her Newport High School Orchestra, was an accomplished skier and beautiful figure skater. Rachel had a great adventurous spirit. She obtained her pilot's license and traveled extensively. She had a great passion for her family history and was a family historian. Rachel is survived by a son James Belanger of Manchester, CT; three daughters, Jane Bainbridge and husband Charles of Hobe Sound, FL. Mary Stark and husband James of Tolland, CT and Elaine Swart and husband Joseph of Terryville, CT. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren, Lauren and Lucas Stark, David and Rebecca Swart, Hilary Bainbridge Lange and husband Thomas, Heather Bainbridge and husband Robert Graves and Andrew Bainbridge and wife Jennifer Maxwell. She was blessed with two treasured great granddaughters, Emma and Ava Lange and all her wonderful nieces and nephews whom she cherished. She is also survived by her loving Sister-in-Law, Eva Cavanaugh of Vermont. The family would like to invite you to a celebration of Rachel's life on Monday December 12th, starting with calling hours from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St. Manchester, CT. O6040. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30 am at St. James Catholic Church, 896 Main Street Manchester, CT 06040, with burial service at St. James Cemetery, 368 Broad Street Manchester. CT The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the tremendous kindness, care and compassion of the wonderful staff of The Arbors of Hop Brook and The Manchester Manor and Masonicare Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rachel's memory to: • Masonicare Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza Suite 200, East Hartford, Ct 06108. • St. James School, 73 Park Street Manchester, CT, 06040