SABATTUS – Rita Phelan, 87, a longtime resident of Main Street, died at her home Thursday morning, Aug. 25.

Born in Lewiston, Dec. 21, 1917, she was the daughter of Atlanta and Marie Vachon.

During her childhood years, her family moved several times, living in Connecticut, Quebec and other places before settling in Sabattus. She went to 17 different schools and graduated as valedictorian of Sabattus High School Class of 1936. While attending Sabattus High, she met Wallace Phelan, and they married on Nov. 25, 1935.

The couple had a daughter, Rochelle, and two sons, Mickey and Peter. While the children were growing up, she worked in various mills, but she primarily was a homemaker. The family home was a busy place, with visitors frequently dropping in. After her husband had a stroke in 1973, she dedicated herself to his care. She selflessly took care of him until his death in 2001.

She enjoyed books, sewing, walking in the woods, gardening, flowers and going to her land in Byron or any other place outdoors. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, entertaining them with food and stories of her past. She had an active interest in her town. She always seemed to know what was going on in Sabattus.

She was a member of the Sabattus Senior Citizens and Our Lady of the Rosary Ladies Auxiliary. For many years, she bowled and played cards weekly.

Survivors include a daughter, Rochelle and her husband, Paul, of Litchfield; a son, Peter and his wife, Renee, of North Monmouth; a daughter-in-law, Diane, of Livermore; seven grandchildren, Anthony LeBel, Andrew LeBel, Vickie Labbe, Thomas Phelan, Jeffrey Phelan, Nicole Phelan and Jackson Phelan; nine great-grandchildren, Bobby, Riley, Brooke and Erin LeBel, Garrett and Megan Labbe, and Constance, Hunter and Brandt Phelan; and two sisters, Christine Dumais of Turner and Mary D’Amour of Sabattus.

She was predeceased by her husband, Wallace; a son, Michael, and a daughter-in-law, Constance Phelan; a sister, Marcia Moulin; and a brother, Leon Vachon.

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