SCARBOROUGH – Rita Napolitano Cloutier, 90, of Scarborough, formerly of South Portland, passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2022, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Rita was born on April 15, 1932 in Brooklyn, N.Y., daughter of Joseph Napolitano and Lena Gramaglia Napolitano originally from Naples, Italy.

Rita graduated from Portland High School and attended business school afterwards. She worked as a keypunch operator for Central Maine Power Company and later in the retail industry at Porteous, Mitchell and Braun.

On July 30, 1960, Rita married Thomas J. Cloutier. Together they enjoyed 53 years of marriage, raised seven children and built a family and business together. Although Rita never worked in the family business in an official capacity, she played a supporting role in the functioning and development of the company, Direct Mail of Maine.

During Rita’s lifetime, she was active in her community. She volunteered in the local schools her children attended and participated in fundraising and local church activities. Rita was a devout Catholic and active parishioner at Holy Cross Church in South Portland, and St. John Paul the II Parish in Scarborough.

Rita was a kind and graceful woman whose life was centered around her faith, family and friends. She was a generous hostess who adopted her husband’s dry sense of humor at times. And she loved having her family and friends around hosting large family celebrations for the holidays. Her Italian cooking was so well-liked that she would often find herself hosting a neighborhood pizza party for friends and family for her homemade pizza and pasta dinners.

Rita was a fabulous cook and avid crossword puzzle enthusiast. She enjoyed a good crossword challenge, spending time doing the crosswords with her children and grandchildren. She also wintered in Marco Island, Fla. with her husband, as a reprieve from the winters in Maine. And she liked traveling to Europe with TJ and their family during retirement. Rita was primarily devoted to her family and supported them in all their activities. She cherished being a wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a good friend who knew how to be present and give the gift of her time to others. She will be greatly missed by all who had the opportunity to know her.

Rita is survived by her seven children, Theresa and her husband, Barry Stephens of Scarborough, Robert and his wife, Gabrielle of Brisbane, Australia, Thomas and his wife, Bridget of Cape Elizabeth, Michael and his wife, Michelle of Cape Coral, Fla., Mark and Sally Cloutier of South Portland, John and his wife, Melissa of Scarborough, and Joseph Cloutier of Portland; and 17 grandchildren, Kiely McCann of Falmouth, Conor McCann and his wife, Maria of Scarborough, Elizabeth and Roman Cloutier of South Portland, Casey and Christopher Cloutier of Cape Elizabeth, Mitchell, Shannon, Courtney, and Melanie Cloutier of Scarborough, and Isabella, Anthony and Liam Cloutier of South Portland, Marcus Gabrielle, Nicole and Rhyan Cloutier; and great-grandchild, Jaylyn Cloutier of Brisbane Australia; along with many nieces and nephews.

Rita is predeceased by her loving husband, Thomas Joseph “TJ”; her parents; and her 11 siblings who she will join and be welcomed by, into the glory of heaven.

The Cloutier family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation for the care and compassion Rita received from the dedicated staff of medical doctors at MaineHealth, caregivers at Comfort Keepers, Hospice of Southern Maine and the gracious care provided by her friend Marilyn Schiavoni. Rita’s family is very grateful for their kindness, care, and support.

Visiting hours celebrating Rita’s life will be held on Friday Oct. 28 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Conroy Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 9:15 a.m. followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Scarborough. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland.

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

Those who wish

may make contributions

in Rita’s memory to

St. Jude’s

Children’s Hospital,

www.stjude.org/donate

Copy the Story Link