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Marie Jane Rita (Landry) Huard
1917-2017
WATERVILLE — Marie Jane Rita Huard, 100, died peacefully on Nov. 25, 2017, surrounded by her family.
Known to all as Rita, she was born June 2, 1917, the daughter of Fred and Emma (Mercier) Landry, and lived her entire life in Waterville. She graduated from Waterville High School in 1934, the salutatorian of her class.
Rita was employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for three years, but due to the war and prevailing company rules, was forced to retire as a result of her marriage to Roland “Zip” Huard in 1938. After raising four children, she was re-employed by Met Life 16 years later, and retired in 1982 after a career of 30 years.
Her greatest passion was her family, with which she celebrated her 100th birthday in June. She was happiest knitting afghans and mittens and baking pies while serving as the family communication center via phone, mail and email.
Rita was predeceased by her father and husband in 1983, her mother in 1984, brothers Edgar and Robert and sisters Theresa Lyons, May Baker, and Viola Sadulsky. Rita is survived by her sons Richard and wife, Cindy, of Benton; John and wife, Helen, of South Portland; Ray of Wheaton, Ill.; and daughter Jane and husband, Laurence, Richards of Richmond, Ind. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Kimberly and husband, Harlan Michaud; Kristi and husband, Craig Norcross; John Huard, Jr. and wife, Sarah; Douglas and wife, Bethany, Richards; Gregory and wife, Virginia, Richards; Richard and wife, Kimberly, Huard; Jennifer and husband, Walter, Fagerlund; Jonathan and wife, Jennifer, Huard; Spencer and wife, Nicole, Huard; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Her ashes will be interred at the family plot in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in a private family burial. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Waterville Public Library, 73 Elm St., Waterville, ME 04901.
A celebration of Rita’s life will be held by her family at a later date. Arrangements by Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, Skowhegan.
