BIDDEFORD – Mrs. Rita M. LeBlond, 92, of Biddeford, passed away Friday, April 9, 2021, at Gosnell Hospice House following an extended illness.

Rita was born Nov. 12, 1928, in Biddeford, Maine, to Mr. Albert Chretien and Mrs. Albertine (Brulotte) Chretien. She attended school in Biddeford where she graduated from St. Joseph’s High School.

On a cold Sunday afternoon while skating at Silver Springs Skating Rink in Biddeford she met a young man who asked her to skate. He would become the love of her life. On May 20, 1950, Rita married Emile Le Blond Jr. at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford, Maine. They went on to spend 57 wonderful years together until his passing in May of 2007.

Rita had a remarkable career as an executive assistant starting with the Saco Lowell Corporation. She was later employed by St. Francis College/The University of New England School of Medicine retiring in 1990 after more than 30 years. Following her retirement she spent winters in Bonita Springs, Florida, and summers in Maine.

In addition to being a loving wife, mother and grandmother, Rita lived a full and active life. She played golf in the Deep Brook Women’s Golf League until the age of 88 developing a tremendous love for the game of golf. As a volunteer she held a variety of positions with the Decary Little League, Fremont Club, Westbrook Skating Rink, and Knights of Columbus Women’s Auxiliary. Rita also volunteered for over 30 years until the age of 90 for Southern Maine Healthcare.

Rita traveled extensively both domestically and internationally. She especially loved Paris and cherished traveling cross country with her husband Emile. Her grandchildren admired her adventurous personality. Most notable is her participation in Powderpuff Derby races as a driver. She was an accomplished quilter and seamstress and loved gardening as well.

Rita had a deep appreciation for the arts. She worked as an usher for the Philharmonic in Naples, Florida, where she enjoyed many performances by well known artists and musicians. She was a lifelong learner inspiring her children and grandchildren to pursue and value education. As a mother and a grandmother, Rita actively supported her children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emile; her parents, Albert and Albertine Chretien; brother, Victor “Mel” Chretien, son-in-law, Joel Potvin and her granddaughter’s husband, William Fulford III.

Rita is survived by her children, Marguerite “Peggy” Belanger of Saco; Marie Potvin of Biddeford; Thomas LeBlond and his wife Denise of Biddeford; Jeanne Curzake and her husband John Jr. of Wakefield, R.I.; David LeBlond and his wife Jill of Biddeford; grandchildren, Breanna Young and her husband, Ryan, Samuel Belanger, Matthew Potvin and his wife Meghan, Ashley Potvin-Fulford, Renaie LeBlond and her fiance Chris, Nicholas LeBlond, Joshua LeBlond, John Curzake III, Zachary Curzake, Emilia Curzake, Travis LeBlond and his wife Renee, and Wyatt LeBlond and his fiance Chelsea. Sisters Yvonne Galucci of Biddeford and Jeanette Johnson of Connecticut; brothers, Robert Chretien and his wife Lorraine of Biddeford and Norman Chretien and his wife Bonnie of Ottawa, Illinois.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford. A private burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel. To share condolences online, please visit http://www.HopeMemorial.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: The Joel Potvin Memorial Scholarship and/or A Running Passion in honor of William Fulford III in care of Marie Potvin.

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