CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Rita G. (Bourque) Arsenault (formerly Sr. Alice Marie, C.S.J.), 87, of Pine Lakes, passed away at Hope Hospice House, Cape Coral, Fla., on Thursday, Nov. 23, after a lengthy illness. She was born in Lewiston on Dec. 14, 1929, the eldest daughter of the late Leon and Alice (Belisle) Bourque, and a communicant of Holy Family Parish.

Rita graduated from St. Joseph’s College of Maine and taught elementary school until her retirement in 1994. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard A. Arsenault, in 2007. Before retiring to Florida, they had formerly resided in Rocky Hill, Conn., and Derry, N.H., where Rita was very active in parish ministry.

She is survived by her sister, Gisele Jackson (Richard) and her brother, Omer Bourque (Suzanne), both also of Pine Lakes. She was a dear sister-in-law, beloved friend, mentor and cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews. Rita was very close to and preceded in death by her brothers, Robert, Emile, Leo, Rev. Real, OMI, Roland and Jean Paul; as well as her sisters, Cecile, Theresa (Sr. Cecile Marie, C.S.J.) and Pauline (Breton).