She was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, on May 7, 1926, the daughter of George and Anna (Larose) Gagne. She attended school in Nashua and moved to Sanford at the age of 16.
A hard worker, Rita was employed in several local mills over the years. She kept an immaculate home and yard and was often puttering around her gardens.
She enjoyed 65 years of marriage to Leo Cantin. They often went camping and spent 18 winters in Daytona, Florida, together. A favorite family activity were the Friday afternoon get-togethers at 3 p.m. to visit and tell stories. Leo passed away in 2011.
Survivors include: her daughter, Anna Bilancieri and her husband, Victor of Sanford; son, Donald J. Cantin and his wife, Elaine of Sanford; daughter, Arlene Chabot and her husband, Daniel of Springvale; grandchildren, Stefanie Haynor, Norman Bergeron, Jennifer Bickford, Michael Chabot and Chad Belanger; great-grandchildren, Ali, Sam, Emily and Jaelyn; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church in Sanford, where the family will receive relatives and friends starting at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Ignatius Cemetery, after which the family will host a reception and luncheon at the St. Ignatius Parish Hall on Riverside Avenue in Sanford.
Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.
Condolences can be expressed at blackfuneralhomes.com.
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