Rita was born on May 8, 1933 in Cambridge, MA; the eldest daughter of the late John J. and Elizabeth (Leary) Bolger. Rita attended Cambridge schools, and graduated from the Cambridge High and Latin.
Upon graduation Rita worked at Cities Service Oil Company overlooking Fenway Park. She chose to live at home with her parents to provide support to her parents and siblings.
She met the love of her life, Eugene Fitzpatrick, in October of 1956 and embarked on a journey filled with love that lasted for 56 years. She then began a life of loving devotion to her family by staying at home and raising her three children along with the help of her loving husband. Once her children were grown, she began working as a fashion consultant at Jordan Marsh and Macy’s. It was a job that she loved dearly!
Above all things, family was what was most important to Rita. Her kindness and unconditional love toward others is what drew people to her and her family. Calling everybody “Lovey” was a simple gesture of her kindness. She loved her family and work, but what she loved most was to share her vibrant love of people with everyone she met. She made everyone feel like they were valued, special and important. Every encounter with her was fun and everyone looked forward to their next visit with her.
Rita enjoyed traveling with her husband and children and had fond memories of trips to England, Bermuda, Aruba and California. Family times spent together at Sandy Beach, Spofford Lake, and Lake Hebron highlighted the close knit family she created. Her life was her family and she cherished every moment with them.
Rita was a woman of deep faith. Her faith in God kept her spirits high throughout her daily life and became a symbol of strength for her family in her courageous battle with cancer. She continued to fight against all odds and journeyed through it all with grace and dignity.
Predeceasing Rita are three brothers, Edward, Jack and Kevin.
Surviving is her loving husband of 54 years Eugene E. Fitzpatrick Sr. of Cumberland; three children, Eugene E. Fitzpatrick Jr. and his wife Maryellen of Falmouth, ME, David B. Fitzpatrick and his wife Terri of Portland, ME, Linda F. Whittum and her husband Jeffrey of Cumberland, ME; seven grandchildren, Eugene III, Mollie, Marian Grace, Liam, Matthew, Kathryn, and Connor. Also surviving are her siblings, Collette, Francis, Noel, Mary and Michael.
Visiting hours for Rita and her family will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2012 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, ME. An 11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial for Rita will be celebrated on Friday, December 28th at Holy Martyrs Church, 266 Foreside Rd. Falmouth, ME.
In lieu of flowers the Fitzpatrick family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Foreside Harbor for their unconditional love and care during Rita’s illness.
Care for Rita and her family has been entrusted to the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home of Portland, ME.
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