She was born in Danville ME to the parents of Joseph and Hermenie Lalemand November 18th 1936. Rita attended local schools in Auburn, ME where she was a head majorette.
She married her high school sweetheart Ernest Ray on August 31, 1957 and they raised 3 lovely daughters Tina, Tammy, and Tracy. They also raised their grandson Derek after their daughter Tina passed.
She was a very caring mother of three daughters, grandmother of 5 grandsons and 6 great grandchildren.
After schooling she worked at Knapp Shoe, Old Town shoe in old town while her husband attended University of Maine. After being a stay at home mom and her children had grown up, she worked at Fabrita Faberics & Paine Products. She also worked with her daughters, Tina at her ABC childcare center in Auburn ME and Tammy’s Greenhouse in NH.
Rita’s pride was living and enjoying her lakefront home on Middle Range Pond, the lake life she loved most was swimming, boating, gardening, and hosting her family events. She also enjoyed traveling to Aruba and Florida, camping in her motor home, and also loved watching her grandsons sporting events.
Rita in her younger and current years enjoyed, camping at the ocean, skiing, snowmobiling, tennis, bowling, roller skating, and most of all dancing with her husband.
Rita was predeceased by her parents, her (3) sisters and (3) brothers and her 1st Born daughter, Tina.
She is survived by her husband Ernest Ray of Poland; daughters Tammy of Otisfield and Tracy and her husband Michael of Poland; Grandsons, Derek and his wife Robyn of Raymond, Jacob of Poland, Joey and his wife Sarah of Poland, Ryan and Riley of Poland; Great-Grandchildren, Lucy, Addison, Holly, Oliver, Emmett, and Lachlan.
Visiting hours will be Monday August 12, 4pm at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 90 Lewiston St, Mechanic Falls, ME. A celebration of life service will follow.
A poem written by Ernest Ray in 1954, for his sweetheart Rita
Remember me my dear Misses
remember me for my kisses
for the days that I would wait
for the evenings of our dates
the Eskimos would look at their dogs and say mush
but when I look at you all I do is blush
So remember me my dear Misses
Remember me for my kisses
Love, Ernie
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