She was born in Biddeford on March 29, 1923, a daughter of Louis and Albertine (Brousseau) Talbot.
Rita always believed her purpose on Earth was to help others, and she did so unselfishly throughout her life .
After realizing the needs of the elderly in her community, she began the first food pantry in the state of Maine in the basement of her home. Soon, her basement was not big enough to accommodate the food donations she was receiving. She then rented a storage space in Biddeford in the old factory buildings near MERC. That one room soon became five.
People began to volunteer to help her, and she founded and became president of the organization, Friends of Community Action, in 1981. Continuing to grow, and helping the people of Biddeford, she ultimately moved to the current location at 162 Elm St. in Biddeford, where she continued to devote her time and energy to the less fortunate, supplying thousands of people in the community and the state with food they so desperately needed.
Rita never looked for any recognition for her deeds, yet was given numerous awards and honors for her outstanding devotion and volunteer work in the community, the county and the state of Maine.
Rita’s most prestigious award was in 1998, when she was flown to our nation’s capital to be presented by then-Vice President Al Gore the Jefferson Award for recognizing individuals who have performed outstanding volunteer service in the local communities of Maine.
Rita was a loving mother and wife, a loyal friend and an incredible role model to all who knew her. She has shown us, through her actions, what is important in life: helping others.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Leo F. Riley; one son, Leo F. Riley Jr.; one son-in-law, Glen D. Ouillette; two brothers, Paul and Rosare Talbot; and three sisters, Clair Saucier, Cecile Adams and Jeanine Lizotte.
She is survived and will be forever missed by her four children: her adored daughter and devoted caregiver Susan M. Riley, daughters Rita M. Ouillette and Patricia Bartelloni and her husband Leo, and son Joseph E. Riley and his wife Anne; her sister, Theresa Scammon; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Friends and family are invited to attend a time of visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at Cote Funeral Home, 87 James St., Saco. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Internment will be private at a later date.
To view Rita’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit cotefuneralhome.com.
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