LEWISTON – Rita M. Lavoie, 76, of Morris Avenue, passed away Monday, March 30, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center after a brief illness with her loving family at her side.

She was born Sept. 24, 1932, in Errol, N.H., the daughter of the late Alphee and Yvette Maltais Deraps. She was educated in Lewiston schools and was married June 21, 1952, to her beloved husband of 56 years, Lionel Lavoie at Saints Peter and Paul Church.

She had been employed at the former Raytheon, Arrow-Hart and Maine Electronics until her retirement in 1993. She then worked part-time for 10 years in the crafts department at Wal-Mart in Auburn, where she loved helping all her customers.

She had a love of quilting. She lovingly made quilts for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed the challenge of difficult puzzles and was an avid Red Sox fan. She loved taking casino trips with her husband, family and friends. Her greatest love was spending time with her family and her adored dog Toby, who kept her in constant smiles and laughter.

She is survived by her husband, Lionel of Lewiston; two sons, Lionel Lavoie of Nevada, and Dan Lavoie and wife, Shari, and a daughter, Penny Wilson and husband, Don, all of Lewiston; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Terry Lapointe and Connie Theriault, both of Lewiston and Joline Dery and husband, Normand, of New Hampshire; a brother, Gerry Deraps of Lewiston; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a brother, Alphee; and a sister-in-law, Doris Deraps.

The family would like to thank all the nurses and staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for the wonderful care given to Rita.