SANFORD – Rita L. Legere, 84, of Sanford, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on May 22, 2024, in Scarborough. She was born and raised in East Lebanon, Maine Sept. 12, 1939, one of 13 children of John Baptiste. and Alice (Blanchette) Dion.

She met and married the love of her life Paul “Chi Chi” Legere and they were happily married for 64 years. They joyfully welcomed four beautiful children, Michael, Susan, Thomas and Cynthia into their lives and lived a wonderful life full of adventures including camping, Wells Beach, Sand Pond and Square Pond.

Rita graduated from the University of Maine with a teaching degree when her children were very young. She taught elementary school in the Sanford Public Schools and was revered as a gifted elementary school teacher until she retired.

She was a member of St. Ignatius Church in Sanford, Maine and Holy Family Church in St. Petersburg, Fla. She enjoyed spending time with her family, going to the Sanford Mainers and Seadogs baseball games. She housed Sanford Mainer’s baseball players and Soccer players at her home for several years.

She was a member of the Sanford Elks Lodge and was a volunteer to raise money for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program for several years. She would have been the first woman to become a life member of the Sanford Elks Lodge in April of 2025.

In her retirement years she enjoyed her Florida home where she spent 18 years in St. Petersburg enjoying the sunshine, warm weather in the winter, Busch Gardens and the Bridge at the Beach.

We want to thank all of Rita’s caregivers for all of their help and support. Carol, Diane, Aline from St. Petersburg and Rachel from Sanford.

Rita was predeceased by her siblings, Jeanette Guillemette, Maurice Dion, Rev. Roland Dion, Cecile Manning, Jean Dion, Pauline Bourque, Donald Dion, Mary Ann Edrington, Lucille Laflamme, Albert Dion, Florance Dion and Therese Couture; and her daughter, Susan Pepin.

She is survived by her husband, Paul Legere; her children, Michael Legere and his wife Sandra of Sanford, Thomas Legere and his wife Tammy and Cindy Morin and her husband Doug of Sanford; her son-in-law, Ron Pepin; her grandchildren, Ryan Legere and Jenna Conley, Ashley Legere, Allison Legere and her spouse Hannah, Evan Legere, Lauren Legere, Sydney Pepin, Zachary Legere, Brian Morin and Steffan Morin; and a great-granddaughter, Olivia Legere.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Theres of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church on Thursday May 30 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

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

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