She was born on March 16, 1922 to Frank and Irma (Belleau) Malo in New Market, New Hampshire. She attended St. Mary’s School in New Market, and when her family moved to Sanford she attended St. Ignatius School, and graduated from Sanford High School in 1940.
She was employed at The Sanford Water District for 27 years and retired from there.
Rita was a communicant of the Notre Dame Church in Springvale. Throughout the years, she was involved in several organizations. She was President of the Business Professional Women’s Club, and a member of Daughters of Isabella, American Legion, Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, and the NCO Spouse Club.
Of her many interests, some of them included ceramics and flower arranging. She took vocal lessons for 10 years, piano lessons, she sang in the St. Ignatius choir, and she loved animals.
Rita was a social butterfly and her greatest love was her family. Her favorite place to be was spending time with her loved ones at the cottage that her father built on Mousam Lake.
Rita was predeceased by her husband, Jean Paul Matthieu in 1962, husband Oliver Tessier in 1993, and a step-granddaughter, Lori Crawford.
Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Arsenault and her husband Peter; a daughter, Linda Crawford and her husband Andrew; granddaughters, Laurie and Leslie Arsenault; a step-grandson Adam Taylor; a great-grandson Christopher Aresenault; step-great-grandchildren, Ryan, Alex and Colton Burnell and Chelsea Crawford; a great-granddaughter, Abigail Lord; and a great-great-granddaughter Sophie Lori Burnell.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 28, 2017 at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish Notre Dame Church in Springvale. A burial will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider The Animal Welfare Society, Inc. P.O. Box 43 West Kennebunk, ME 04094
Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.
To leave a message of condolence please visit blackfuneralhomes.com
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