A three-alarm fire that broke out at 253 Hackett Hill Road in Hooksett the morning of Oct. 16 caused the entire structure to collapse and killed the woman inside, fire officials said.

The body of Suzanne Dionne, 65, was pulled from the rubble shortly before noon as family members looked on. Firefighters were still dousing hot spots about seven hours after the fire began.

Dionne’s brother, Ed, who lives in Florida, hadn’t seen his sister in several years until last month when he returned to New Hampshire to help care for a sick family member.

When asked if he was grateful for the time they shared, he answered, “Yes. Very much so.” “We wanted to take her out to dinner last night but she wasn’t home,” he said, adding that she was very active. “She was a very independent woman.”

“We did things with her as much as possible, but we wish we could have done more,” said Suzanne’s other brother, Ray Dionne.

Hooksett Deputy Fire Chief Michael Hoisington said it took so long to remove Dionne’s body due to “the complete collapse of the entire structure.” “It’s a total loss,” he said.

Several family members, including Dionne’s brother, Bill, who lived next door to his sister, said her house was about 300 years old.

Family members said Dionne worked at the Sylvania plant in Hooksett as an assembly worker for more than 20 years. She lived at the Hackett Hill Road home her entire life and graduated from Manchester West High School in 1964, said her brother, Ray.

Kim Belisle, who lives across the street from the burned home, said she woke up that day to the sound of fire engines.

“I just stood and watched it and I cried,” Belisle said. “There was nothing I could do. The whole house was engulfed. I knew there was no way they could get to her.”

Belisle said she spoke with Dionne often and took in one of her kittens after an adult cat gave birth. She said Dionne owned between 15 and 20 cats.

Family members said Dionne never married and did not have any children. Her sister- in-law Sally Dionne, who also lives next door, said she awoke that morning to her son and his wife shouting that there was a fire at Suzanne’s house.

“We wanted to get inside,” Sally Dionne said. “We didn’t get any further than the porch. It was too late.”

Ray Dionne said his sister was active in many organizations over the years, including the Catholic Church, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. She retired a few years ago to care for her late mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, he said. She also assisted driving elderly people to doctor’s appointments.

“She filled her life by helping people,” Ray said.

Hooksett Fire Warden Harold Murray said the last fatal fire in Hooksett occurred 14 years ago when a man died in a house on Main Street.

Dionne’s official cause of death will be determined in the coming days by the state medical examiner.