Rita T. Raymond

Born and raised in the City by her parents Edige and Marie (Nadeau) Lefrancois. She was predeceased by her four older brothers, Norman, Bernard, Donald, and Paul.

Rita was a 1943 graduate of New Bedford High School. In her younger years, she worked at the Merchant Bank, then married and raised her four children. She returned to the workforce in the 60’s and was employed by Parkwood Hospital, which then merged with St. Luke’s. For decades, she loved her position manning the pre-admissions desk in the Surgery Center. An article was written by the Standard Times when she was 75 years old, commending her commitment and desire to work beyond the age of retirement. The article proved premature as she continued to work at St. Luke’s until her 89th birthday.

Rita was also very active throughout her life, involved in many church and community affairs and organizations. For over 45 years she had been on the executive board and an active member of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Claire T. Carney Library Associates, including past presidencies in 1982 and 2000.

Rita is survived by three children, Donna Brown and her husband Ralph, Louise Bralewski and her husband Henry all of Acushnet and Richard Raymond and his wife Debra of Buckeye, AZ. She was predeceased by her eldest daughter Ann Marie Krasky who passed away at the age of 50. She remained close to Ann’s widower, Charles Krasky and his wife Jan.

Rita is also survived by six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Christine Brown, Mark Lipsett and their two sons Tommy and Teddy; Robert Brown and wife Jennifer and their four children, Jack, Nicholas, Kate, and Sean; Kara Brown and Ryan Motta and their three children, Miah, Lana, and Beau; Kristen Ferro and fiancé Sean Sylvia; Michael Raymond and wife Stephanie and their daughter Samantha; and Kevin Raymond and fiancé Kristy Norton and his daughter Olivia. She loved each and every one of them with passion. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews as well as countless good friends.

Rita’s passing comes just nine days after her 97th birthday. She had a long and fulfilling life, loving anything and everything French. She truly embodied “la joie de vivre!”

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, August 29, 2022 at 10 a.m. in St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, 343 Tarkiln Hill Rd., New Bedford. Burial will be private. For online tribute: www.rock-funeralhome.com.