SACO – Rita (Hebert) Gilbert, wife of the late Maurice Gilbert and daughter of Philip Hebert and Leona (Boisvert) Hebert, passed away at age 91, on April 27, 2021, after an extended, debilitating illness.

A Saco resident, she was born in Biddeford and graduated from St. Joseph’s High School. Rita was a deeply empathetic person, who always saw the best in everyone and was dedicated to her family, into which she readily accepted many. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughters, Janet Tanski of Worcester, and Joan (Richard Lewis) Gilbert and Mary-Ann Gilbert of Saco, as well as by her sons, Kevin (Julie) Gilbert of Waterboro, Michael (Angel Kinney) Gilbert of Sanford, Marc (Pam) Gilbert of Biddeford, and Ron (Leah) Gilbert of Cleveland; grandchildren Andrew, Azia, Evan (Laura), Jessica, and Dr. Nathaniel Gilbert; Micah Maddox-Gilbert; Alex (Jacqueline Lussier) and Nicholas (Courtney) Tanski; Eden and Emily Hefron; and Ryan and MacKenzie Townsend; and great-grandchildren Lillian and Olivia Tanski. Special thanks to long-time caregiver Mary Ann Gilbert.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Monday, May 3, 2021 at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco. The Funeral Mass will follow at 1:00 p.m. Monday, the same day, at St. Joseph’s Church, 178 Elm Street, Biddeford. A Graveside Service after the funeral will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 120 West Street, Biddeford.

To view Rita’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit http://www.cotefuneralhome.com

The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for all their care and support during their time of need.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to:

Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org/donate or: Kennebunk’s Animal Welfare Society at

https://animalwelfaresociety.org/give

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