She was born on Oct. 30, 1931, to George and Jennie (Cote) Paradis in Sanford. She was a graduate of Old Orchard Beach, Class of 1949, and went on to attend Northeastern Business College in Portland.
On Dec. 31, 1988, she married Arthur Robert Croker at The Village Inn in Old Orchard Beach.
She was a legal secretary for many years before working for the town of Old Orchard Beach, first as the town treasurer and then went on to become town manager. She went on to the Milestone Foundation as an administrative assistant and was on the board of directors. After moving to Turner, she became the assistant town clerk in Turner. She finished her career at various places working part-time as a bookkeeper, receptionist and an administrative assistant before retiring in 1993.
Rita was an avid reader and fast as well, she could read a whole book in one day. She loved traveling with Arthur and enjoyed going to restaurants with him. She was a collector of many things, her favorite collections were all things nautical, collector plates, blue glass and her Thomas Kinkade paintings. On Sept. 12, 2015, the Alumni Association of Old Orchard Beach inducted her into their Hall of Fame.
Rita is survived by: her husband of 28 years, Arthur R. Croker of Saco; six children, Robert Belair of Palm City, Florida, Reinette Buzzell of Buxton, Rhonda Hogan and her husband, Toby, of Biddeford, Russell Belair and his wife, Jodi, of Augusta, Arthur Scott Croker and his wife, Peggy, of Daytona Beach, Florida, and Christopher Michael Croker of Mesquite, Texas; a sister: Janet Doherty of Old Orchard Beach; 14 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; and a niece and two nephews
Visiting hours will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2017, at Hope Memorial Chapel 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A funeral service will immediately follow at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date.
Charitable contributions in Rita’s name may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel. To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.