Rita I. LaFountain

ATHOL - Rita I. (Smith) LaFountain, 80, of 636 Crescent St., Athol, died Friday, July 31, 2009 at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol. She was born in Ellenburg, New York, on October 3, 1928, the daughter of the late Dominey and the late Laura (Forette) Smith. Mrs. LaFountain was raised and educated in Ellenburg, New York. She was a resident of Athol for over 55 years. She worked for several different factories in Athol, including the former McElwain Shoe Shop, the former N.D. Cass Company, and the former Comb Shop. More recently, she worked in the cafeteria of the Franklin County Meals on Wheels program. Mrs. LaFountain was a member of Our Lady Immaculate Church. She enjoyed playing bingo and card games. She leaves three daughters, Evelyn Conkey and her husband Edward, Gail Bastine and her husband Edward, Rebecca LaFountain, all of Athol; eight sons, Leonard LaFountain and his wife Rose, Gary LaFountain, Lawrence LaFountain, Norman LaFountain, Elton LaFountain and his wife Claudette, Earl LaFountain , Dennis LaFountain and his wife Michelle, Steven LaFountain, all of Athol; two sisters, Valida Smith and Pauline Foster, both of Orange; two brothers, Dominey Smith, Jr. of Athol, Larry Smith and his wife Janet of Gardner; two sisters-in-law, Mildred Costin and Blanche LaFountain, both of New York; sixteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 39 years, Fremont J. LaFountain, in 1983; by her son, Allen LaFountain in 1982, and by her daughter, Joyce Shelton, on August 8, 2007. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery, Athol. Calling hours will be held Monday, August 3, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol, MA 01331 or to Quabbin Valley Nursing Home Activity Fund, 821 Daniel Shays Highway, Athol, MA 01331. $(document).ready(function(){ });