Rita Margaret Grimes

Rita Margaret (Desrosier) Grimes

Athol, MA - Rita Margaret (Desrosier) Grimes, born December 3, 1924, in Athol, MA, to Wilfred H. Desrosier and Leona Hachey, peacefully passed away February 19, 2026, after a short stay at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare.

She was 101 years old and lived a remarkably full life. She was the best Mom ever creating a safe, loving, supportive, and beautiful home. After graduation from Athol High School in 1942, Rita worked in the ticket booth of the York Theater, where she would be courted by potential suitors. It was long before she met Warren C. "Bud" Grimes Jr. Rita and Bud were married for 43 years until his passing in 1990.

Other jobs she held were as a secretary at Riverbend School, clerk, and alteration seamstress at Moskovitz's Clothing Store, and Bruce's Pharmacy Counter. Rita was an avid golfer and member of Ellinwood Country Club, where she was past-president of the Ladies Golf Association. She and her husband, Bud, were the first Ellinwood Husband/Wife Championship winners. Rita played golf until she was 86. A member of Our Lady Immaculate Church until recent years, Rita volunteered at their food pantry as well as at the Athol Memorial Hospital Gift Shop. She was active at the YMCA, participating in Silver Sneakers, yoga, and swimming, and enjoyed the offerings at the Athol Senior Center. Being a voracious reader, Rita was a committed member of Friends of the Athol Public Library.

Another of Rita's passions was playing bridge with her lifelong bridge group friends, with whom she took many memorable trips to Cape Cod, Florida, and Ogunquit, ME. Travel and cultural experiences were a part of Rita's life - trips to Ireland, Spain, and Italy -- as well as sojourns to Boston and New York City, concert events, art museums, and galleries. League Bowling was on Rita's regular schedule, and she had a brush with curling at the Petersham Curling Club. Always busy and learning, Rita took many classes -- painting, quilting, crocheting, refinishing, knitting, skiing, sewing, cooking, and decoupage - as she expressed herself through activities, arts, and crafts. There was a year of Camp Fire Girl leadership, too. In 1974,

Rita traveled to Washington, DC, to participate in the first March for Life with the Athol's Citizen's for Life group. Rita will be remembered as a gentle soul, embracing others, open, curious, fun loving, poised, and beautiful inside and out. She will live in our hearts forever.

Rita leaves three daughters: Linda Grimes of New York City, Cynthia "Cyndi" Wheeler and husband Bill of Athol, and Cathy Peel and husband Jeff of Boca Raton, FL. 'GiGi' also leaves three grandchildren: Jennifer Trudeau and husband Scott, Lunenburg, MA; Stephanie Wheeler, Athol, MA; David Wheeler, wife Christina, Dunkirk, MD -- and four great grandchildren; Will and Ashley Trudeau; Calvin and Dawson Wheeler. Rita also leaves her beloved brother, Francis Desrosier, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Rita was predeceased by her brother, Dr. Norman Desrosier (Ann), her sister Evelyn King (Hans), and her sister-in-law Aileen.

The Family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers who enabled Rita to stay in her home, who always treated her with love and respect, and who shared many a laugh or two: Lisa Duran, Pat O'Lari, Maggie Tzikas, Julie Livingston, Maryann Copeta, Cindy Lou Rivers, Heather Bassett, and Michele Cote. We would also like to thank Quabbin Valley Healthcare staff for their kindness, professionalism, and helpfulness in providing comfort in her last days.

A calling hour prior to the funeral will be held at Mack Funeral Home Athol-Orange Chapel, 110 New Athol Road, Orange, MA on Saturday, February 28th, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, with a service at 11:00 am.

A reception will follow at the Ellinwood Country Club at noon. Private burial will take place at Silver Lake Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of the Athol Public Library and the Athol Senior Center