MONMOUTH – After a recent series of strokes after the holidays, Rita Doris Paradis, surrounded by local family members, died peacefully on Sunday, March 12, at her home.

She was born in Fort Kent on July 20, 1921, the eldest daughter of Solomon J. and Evelyn (Long) Paradis. She grew up in Fort Kent and also in Eagle Lake. She was a graduate of the University of Maine, known then as the Fort Kent Normal School, in 1940. Always a teacher at heart, she taught for many years at grade schools in Caswell, Hudson, N.H., and Elyria, Ohio.

The spouse of a U.S. Air Force officer during World War II and beyond, she loved the challenges of military life, accompanying her husband to all of his different military assignments. They had lived in Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida and Maine. After her husband Jim’s retirement in 1976, they returned to their roots in Maine, building a home in Monmouth. Drawing from a deep spirit of adventure, she and Jim enjoyed 10 years of traveling throughout North America, to include summering in Alaska and wintering in California and Florida, while driving through and visiting all points in between.

She was the loving wife of her husband of 61 years, James L. Paradis Sr. of Monmouth and a caring mother of her two sons, James L. Paradis Jr. of Wasilla, Alaska, and Wayne M. Paradis of Monmouth; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Iris LeBrun of Oxnard, Calif., and Ouida M. Long of Bangor; a brother, Joseph R. Long of Schrewsbury, Mass.; and also several nieces and nephews.

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