RUMFORD – Rina L. Gallant, 86, of Wyman Hill Road, died Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Rumford Hospital, surrounded by her family.

She was born on Aug. 2, 1922, in Chisholm, a daughter of Luigi and Ida (Gonella) Marchetti, and was one of nine children.

She graduated from Jay High School and supported the war effort as a “Rosie the Riveter” at BIW.

In the early 1970s, she was employed at the Mammoth Mart and later at Bartash’s.

She was a communicant of Parish of the Holy Savior St. Athanasius-St. John Catholic Church.

She married Robert E. Gallant on Jan. 14, 1946. In 1953, they built a home in South Rumford, where they raised their family.

She enjoyed traveling, needlework, attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events and Sunday drives.

Her greatest joy was time spent with family, including her five children, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor which was appreciated by all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughters, Bonnie Samson and husband, Roland, of Jay, Barbara Ripley and husband, David, of Portland, Cynthia Giroux and husband, Gary, of Dixfield and Deborah Gurney and husband, Glenn, of Dixfield; her son, Kenneth and companion, Annie Atherton of Belfast; her grandchildren, Erica Farrar, Robert Samson, Amanda Bramble, Sarah Ripley, Erin Wainwright, Abigail Waleik, Hannah Giroux, Nathan Gurney, Nicholas Gurney, Zachary Gallant and Joshua Gallant; 12 great-grandchildren; her sister, Carole Holt; and a brother, Ronald Marchetti of Jay.

She was predeceased by her parents; a son; Robert Vincent Gallant in 1949; her husband Robert E. “Blackie” Gallant in 1984; four brothers, Joseph, Louis, John and Ralph Marchetti; and two sisters, Sandrina Roy and Laura Moreau.

Her family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff at Rumford Hospital for their skilled, compassionate care and support and also to her special lifelong friend and neighbor Becky Thibodeau.