1920 – 2013

RUMFORD — Rita Letourneau, 92, passed away Feb. 26, at the Rumford Community Hospital.

She was born on June 8, 1920, the daughter of Claudia and Alfred Roy.

Rita spent most of her life raising her family and living on the Swift River in Frye, Maine. She married Phillip Letourneau on Oct. 14 1940. Always proud of living economically, she worked a large garden and ran a roadside vegetable stand by Frye Bridge for many years (for several years it was a hotdog and hamburger stand, as well). Folks traveling to Rangeley and Roxbury Ponds could depend on the vegetable stand to get their veggies, fresh from the garden.

Rita was very competitive when it came to playing cards or bowling. She was a member of the Bomberett’s Women’s Bowling League, serving as captain for a time, and was one of the top scorers, into her 90s.

Christmas was a favorite time of year. She is remembered for saving the paper, ribbon and bows, rather than tossing them, because they were perfectly good to use again. Her grandchildren always looked forward to the homemade sugar cookies and other goodies that she boxed up for them.

She was a communicant of St. Theresa’s and the Church of the Holy Savior. She was a member of the St. Theresa’s Guild and the Extension Society.

She is survived by her sons, Phillip and wife, Mary, of Florida, and Paul of Buxton; daughter Ann (Letourneau) and husband, Fernand Bellegarde, of Rumford; son-in-law, Rosiare Chartier of Frye; sister, Theresa (Roy) Crawford of Mexico; grandchildren, Jennifer Letourneau of Florida, Kim Letourneau of N.C., Renee Letourneau and Michael Letourneau, both of Portland, Jessica and husband, Andy Noniewicz, of Greene, Kevin Grassette, Scot and wife, Cindy Grassette, Keith Grassette of Rumford, Danny and wife, Pam Chartier, of Andover, Lisa and husband, Shawn Walch, of Rumford, Grace and husband, Steve St. Cyr, of Newcastle, and Adeline Greene of Old Orchard; great-grandchildren, Coty Chartier, Zach Grassette, Kaitlyn Grassette, Amber Grassette, Tasha Jasud, Jennifer St. Cyr, John Greene, Lindsey Greene, Nicolas Harriman, Ali Noniewicz, and Brianna Noniewicz; great-great-grandchildren, Kloe Touchette, Skye Frobose, Wyatt Patnaude and Jillian Patnaude. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, Alfred and Corrina Roy and their son, Ayden, Shawn and wife, Julie, and their children, Troy, Megan and Janna Mae, Lee Crawford, Lisa and Mario Puiia, Janna and Bill Shuster, and Kayla Shuster, all of whom loved her very dearly.

She was predeceased by her husband, Phillip Letourneau; daughter, Pricilla Chartier; daughter-in-law, Carol Letourneau; and grandson, David Chartier.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Letourneau family by visiting their guestbook at www.sgthibaultfuneralhome.com.