Rita M. LeBlanc

LEOMINSTER- Rita M. LeBlanc, 79, of Leominster, passed into the arms of the Lord on Friday, March 11, in her home. Rita was born on November 1, 1936, in Notre Dame, New Brunswick, Canada; daughter of the late Edgar and Corinne (Melanson) LeBlanc. She moved to the United States, finally residing in Leominster in 1958. She was employed at Foster Grant and Near East Products, retiring in 1998. Rita touched the lives of many people with her smile and generous spirit. She lived her life devoted to the teachings of Jesus Christ, always willing to help those in need. She was a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin, wife and friend and she will be dearly missed. She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, studying scripture, praying, needlepoint and crochet. Rita leaves four daughters and sons-in-law, Monique Whitney and her husband Raymond of Leominster, Michelle DeRoy and her husband Kenneth of Gardner, Majella (Madge) Dunphe and her husband Andy of North Brookfield, and Nicolle Cefole and her husband Marshall of Winchendon; eleven grandchildren, Erica (Whitney) Welsh, Bryant Whitney, Kristina (DeRoy) Milvae, Heather (DeRoy) Alden, Michael DeRoy, Aldo Dunphe, Marisa Dunphe, Kerri Spady, Shawna Spady, Steven Spady and Elizabeth Spady; one great-grandson, Nicholas Alden; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Hector LeBlanc and his wife Geraldine of Hudson, Ola LeBlanc and his wife Emma of Natick; a brother, Gillis LeBlanc of Notre Dame, New Brunswick; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Stella LeBlanc and her husband Gerard of Waltham, Lorraine Goguen and her husband Raymond of Waltham, Lillian Russo and her husband Ernie of Brentwood, NH; a brother-in-law, Herve Gagnon; a sister-in-law, May LeBlanc; her husband, Gerard LeBlanc; and many nieces and nephews. Rita was predeceased by a great-granddaughter, Caroline Milvae; a sister, Florine Gagnon of Irishtown, New Brunswick; and a brother, Paul LeBlanc of Notre Dame, New Brunswick. A calling hour will be held Wednesday, March 16, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker St., Leominster. The funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM at St. Cecilia's Church, 180 Mechanic St., Leominster. Burial will follow in St. Cecilia's Cemetery.