1926 – 2013

AUBURN — Rita G. Marquis, 86, of Auburn, passed away on Monday, Nov. 4, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Auburn on Dec. 28, 1926, the daughter of Joseph and Marie Anna (LaFlamme) LaRochelle. She married Victor R. Marquis on Oct. 5, 1946; he predeceased her on Sept. 11, 1992. She was employed by Central Maine Medical Center, retiring in 1984.

Family “camp” was the hub of all family activities, reunions, weddings and bonfires on the beach. Rita’s happiest summers were spent at camp with her beloved husband, Vic. They shared many leisurely sunset boat rides circling Tripp Lake. They basked in the brilliance of the fall foliage, enjoying long drives in mountains and countryside. She enjoyed knitting mittens for children and grandbabies; crocheting was pure pleasure, along with doing the daily crossword and jigsaw puzzles.

Rita loved spending time with her family, friends and neighbors. Home was a revolving door for the children in the neighborhood and there was always room for one more at the dinner table. Children in the neighborhood looked forward to “garage dances.” Many would often arrive at camp — with her husband, who would pick them up on his way home from work to enjoy a few days at camp.

She was most proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was eager to hold the newest addition to the family.

She is survived by her children, Richard V. Marquis and his wife, Claire, Diane Marquis Monaghan and her husband, John, Russell R. Marquis and his wife, Rosanne, and Robert N. Marquis and his wife, Jacqueline; nine grandchildren, Lori Marquis-Boutin, Sara, Glen, Philip, Jennifer and Adam Marquis, Cari Newson and Amy and Audrey Barriault; eight great-grandchildren, Colin and Ellen Marquis-Boutin, Ashley Niemi, Xander, Payton, Gabriel and Lyla Newson and Addison Marquis; five step-grandchildren; and six great-step-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Leo LaRochelle, Fernand LaRochelle, Lillian LaRochelle Drapeau, Cecile LaRochelle Fournier, Simone Larochelle, Soucy, Bouchard, Lorrianne LaRochelle Drapeau and infant sisters, Irene and Yvonne.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to nurses Tammy and Dave, and her personal care attendant, Michelle, of Androscoggin In-Home Hospice Care. Their dedication and care have been extraordinary and a true blessing.