TURNER – Rita Blaisdell, 77, of Rockwood, ended her long goodbye on Jan. 28, passing on to her heavenly reward.

She was born in Detroit, Mich., on April 16, 1927, the daughter of the late Wilfred and Marie Ange (Letourneau) Poulin.

She was raised and educated in Canada and worked with her family in the hotel business prior to meeting an American woodsman.

She married James A. Blaisdell on June 1, 1956 and became a devoted homemaker and partner in numerous endeavors.

She settled in Frye to raise her family, enjoying the Swift River with her children and their friends.

After two years in Florida, Rita and “Jim” returned to Maine to run Blaisdell’s Discount in Peru. She was committed to the family business and the community for 18 years before retiring with her devoted husband in Rockwood.

She was a remarkable woman, blessed with many gifts which she shared not only with family but with all people whose lives she touched. She was generous, spirited and fun-loving, famous for her “Rita hugs,” and a great confidante to many. She shared her joy of life’s smaller pleasures, had tremendous empathy, and sought the good in people reflected by her genuine compliments. Rita’s greatest gift was her ability to love and let people know they had a special spot in her heart, earning her the love and respect of many.

She will be sadly missed, leaving behind to cherish her memory, her beloved husband of 48 years; three daughters, Mary-Frances Blaisdell and her husband, William McGray, of Turner, Patricia Richard and her husband, David, of Rumford, Johanne Blaisdell and her companion, Jeff Adams, of Palmyra; two stepgrandchildren, Todd Porter and Tanya Goff; eight grandchildren, Germaine and Jessica Porter, James, Meagaan, and Sean Irish, Justine McGray, Benjamin Blaisdell, and Taren McGray; a great-grandson, Austin Bennet; two stepgrea-grandsons, Tyler McInnis and William Porter; a sister and her husband, Louisette, and Yvan Poulin of Ste. Agathe, Quebec; two brothers and their wives, Julien and Jeanne Poulin of Ste. Marie, Quebec, and Paul and Micheline Poulin of St. Etienne, Quebec.

She was predeceased by her brother, Claude Poulin.