Rita A. Fortin

Rita Annette Fortin, 88, died unexpectedly in Lewiston at Central Maine Medical Center Tuesday, May 3, 2011 with her family members at her side. She was born in Lisbon on March 26, 1923 to the late Albert and Marie Anna (Fortin) Plourde. Rita married Antonio Fortin June 5, 1943 at St. Anne's Catholic Church. They had 47 wonderful years together until his passing in October of 1990. In 1976 Antonio and Rita traveled to visit their daughter Laurette. Their travels included Bergesgarden, Germany, France and Austria. Throughout Rita's life she worked for various local companies: Farnsworth Mill, Koss Shoe, Raytheon as well as Maine Electronics where she retired from in 1985. After retiring, she and Antonio spent winters in Florida. Rita was always known as "Mother" to all of her fellow workers at Maine Electronics. Rita was a communicant at Ste. Anne's for many years and Holy Trinity Church in Lisbon Falls. She was a member of Lisbon Senior Citizens, Club Canadian-Franco-American DE. St. Petersburg, FL, and volunteered at the convent in Sabattus and St. Mary’s gift shop. Rita loved knitting, crocheting, bowling, fishing, playing shuffle board, playing cards with her cousins, dancing, going to the beach and the casinos but her ultimate love was spending time with her family. Rita will be remembered for being a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be dearly missed by all. She is survived by her three daughters: Doris Martin and her husband Albert of Lisbon Falls, Therese Ridley of Lisbon Falls, and Laurette Fortin and her fiancé Wendell Millett of Lisbon; her five grandchildren: Anthony “Tony” Martin and his wife Gayelynn of Richmond, Randall “Randy” Ridley and his wife Liz of Lisbon, Christopher “Chris” Ridley of Lisbon Falls, Timothy “Tim” Ridley of NC, and Danelle Kane of Lisbon; and her 4 great-grandchildren: Leandra, Meranda, Michael and Eric. Rita is also leaves behind her sister in law Marie Blanche Cote of Auburn and many nieces and nephews. Along with her husband and her parents, Rita was predeceased by her son in law Raymond Ridley in June 2003. Family and friends my offer their condolences to the Fortin family by visiting www.crosmanfuneralhome.com