RUMFORD — Anita Marie Parise, 87, formerly of 321 Pine St., died Thursday, June 30, at the Rumford Community Home following a long illness.

She was born in Mexico, in 1924, daughter of Alphonse Ferland and Marie Anne (Blier) Ferland.

Anita attended St. John School and graduated from Stephens High School, Class of 1942. She was a lifelong communicant at St. Athanasius-St. John Catholic Church. She was a member of the Ladies of Ste. Anne and the Children of Mary and performed a number of volunteer activities for the parish.

In 1946, she married Therence Parise, her husband and love of 63 years. Before his passing in 2009, they enjoyed many summers camping at Sunset Cove on Roxbury Pond and could be seen many winter evenings in town, dancing the nights away together. Anita was a skilled seamstress as well as an excellent knitter. Best of all she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Anita worked for 17 years as a teacher’s aide at St. John School and became known to a generation of former students as “Madame Parise.”

She is survived by a son, David Parise and wife, Joan, of Rye, N.H.; a grandson, Brian, also of Rye, N.H.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; a twin sister, Annette Belanger; and three brothers, Edgar Ferland, Brother Wilfred Ferland and Nelson Ferland.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Rumford Community Home and Androscoggin Hospice for their loving care and support.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences, and fond memories with the Parise family by visiting their guest book at www.SGThibaultFuneralHome.com.