AUBURN — Rita L. Brodeur, 100, of Auburn passed away Sunday, July 23. She was born Jan. 15, 1917, in Rumford, the daughter of Raoul Blouin and Yvonne Boivin, who died July 15, 1920. Raoul remarried Marie Leblanc, who was an excellent second mother. They celebrated over 60 years of marriage.

Rita died as she lived, always putting others before herself. She assisted in the raising of six younger siblings, raised five children who became amazing, compassionate adults, cared for her husband while he was ill, hosted holiday parties into her 80s where she was always the last to eat, and insisted that this obituary contain specific recognition for those important in her life.

She attended Rumford schools, completing grade nine at Stephens High School. Prior to her marriage, she worked for the Bouvé-Boston School with her sister, Alice, a match factory in Dixfield, and Remington Arms in Bridgeport, Connecticut, during World War II with her sister and several cousins. She also owned and operated a small restaurant, and was employed by the Oxford Paper Co. in Rumford.

She married Donat Brodeur on June 14, 1947. They were married for 33 years until he died in 1980. During her marriage, she worked as a mother and housewife, worked with her husband who was a Fuller Brush sales representative, and also for Knapp Shoe for eight years.

Rita lived in New Auburn for 54 years, and at the Esplanade at Great Falls Plaza for the last 10. She was a member of St. Louis/Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, the Ladies of St. Anne Sodality at St. Louis parish, the New Auburn Senior Citizens, and Dames Jacques Cartier, a snowshoe club.

She is survived by her three daughters, Anita (Robert) Blanchette of Lewiston, Yvonne (David) Whitney of Goffstown, New Hampshire, Denise (Jeff) Peterson of Lyman, and two sons, Alfred (Martha) Brodeur of Auburn, Roger (Mary Tennant) Brodeur of Brunswick, 12 grandchildren, Peter Blanchette (Colleen Campbell), Julie (Mike) Maloney, Katherine (Geoffrey) Pittman, Jessica Whitney, Kristen (James) Mastroianni, Justin Whitney, Lindsey (Evan) Meritt, April (Nick) Pondant, Michelle Brodeur (Justin Ridge), Matthew Brodeur, Meilin Tennant Brodeur, including her foster granddaughter Gu Qin, of China, and two sisters, Raymonde Blouin of North Scituate, R.I., and Gloria Bernard of Rumford, 12 great-grandchildren, Addison and Taya Maloney, Gabriel, Karis, and Geonathan Pittman, Anna, Joshua, Elizabeth, and Isaac Mastroianni, Elise and Blake Meritt, Nicholas Pondant and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is predeceased by her husband, her three parents, her sister, Alice Theriault, her brothers, Louis Blouin, Regis (Brother Francis) Blouin, Jean-Paul Blouin, her grandson, Jonathan Whitney, and many sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends and family are invited to share their memories and offer their condolences by visiting Rita’s online guest book at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.

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