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FITZPATRICK, Rita B. Of Cumberland, Maine, died peacefully on December 20, 2012, with her family by her side, at Foreside Harbor in Falmouth, Maine. Rita was born on May 8, 1933 in Cambridge, MA; the eldest daughter of the late John J. and Elizabeth (Leary) Bolger. Rita attended Cambridge schools, and graduated from the Cambridge High and Latin. Upon graduation Rita worked at Cities Service Oil Company overlooking Fenway Park. She chose to live at home with her parents to provide support to her parents and siblings. She met the love of her life, Eugene Fitzpatrick, in October of 1956 and embarked on a journey filled with love that lasted for 56 years. She then began a life of loving devotion to her family by staying at home and raising her three children along with the help of her loving husband. Once her children were grown, she began working as a fashion consultant at Jordan Marsh and Macy's. It was a job that she loved dearly! Above all things, family was what was most important to Rita. Her kindness and unconditional love toward others is what drew people to her and her family. Calling everybody "Lovey" was a simple gesture of her kindness. She loved her family and work, but what she loved most was to share her vibrant love of people with everyone she met. She made everyone feel like they were valued, special and important. Every encounter with her was fun and everyone looked forward to their next visit with her. Rita enjoyed traveling with her husband and children and had fond memories of trips to England, Bermuda, Aruba and California. Family times spent together at Sandy Beach, Spofford Lake, and Lake Hebron highlighted the close knit family she created. Her life was her family and she cherished every moment with them. Rita was a woman of deep faith. Her faith in God kept her spirits high throughout her daily life and became a symbol of strength for her family in her courageous battle with cancer. She continued to fight against all odds and journeyed through it all with grace and dignity. Predeceasing Rita are three brothers, Edward, Jack and Kevin. Surviving is her loving husband of 54 years Eugene E. Fitzpatrick Sr. of Cumberland; three children, Eugene E. Fitzpatrick Jr. and his wife Maryellen of Falmouth, ME, David B. Fitzpatrick and his wife Terri of Portland, ME, Linda F. Whittum and her husband Jeffrey of Cumberland, ME; seven grandchildren, Eugene III, Mollie, Marian Grace, Liam, Matthew, Kathryn, and Connor. Also surviving are her siblings, Collette, Francis, Noel, Mary and Michael. Visiting hours for Rita and her family will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2012 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., PORTLAND, ME. An 11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial for Rita will be celebrated on Friday, December 28th at Holy Martyrs Church, 266 Foreside Rd. Falmouth, ME. In lieu of flowers the Fitzpatrick family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Foreside Harbor for their unconditional love and care during Rita's illness. Care for Rita and her family has been entrusted to the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home of Portland, ME.
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Rita and I were coworkers at Macy's. I remember her pleasent smile and her how are you lovey? She always made me smile when we worked together!
Jean Flaherty
December 30, 2012
We love you Auntie Rita. I call my son Aidan "Lovey" everyday something I learned from you. Love Mairin Bolger Schreiber (Lexington MA)
December 27, 2012
Thinking of you Linda, Jeff, Katie and Connor....the strength of your family and faith is a true gift from your Nana....clearly she loved you all. We are thinking of you as you celebrate her life....wish we could be there to support and hug you but we are headed down to Connecticut....you are in my prayers....xoxo
Polly and Brad Finlay
December 27, 2012
Collette and family, sorry to hear about your sister Rita. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Bonnie Kelley
December 26, 2012
Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-brow'd night, Give me my Auntie Rita; and, when She shall die, Take her and cut her out in little stars, And She will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night And pay no worship to the garish sun.
Collette & John Davison
December 26, 2012
We are so sorry to hear of Rita's passing. We wish we were there for Gene and the entire family. We were truely blessed to have known her. All are love to Gene and the Fitzpatrick family - with deepest sympathy - Michael and Karen Curry[The Villages, FL]
December 26, 2012
You will be missed by all. Sandy Blume,Astrowsky
December 26, 2012
This candle light pales in comparison to your light and spirit!
Hilary Rogers
December 26, 2012
To my beautiful Auntie Rita, you brought laughter and love in to my life. I will miss you! However, I know your spirit will always be with me until we met again! Love Hilary
Hilary Rogers
December 26, 2012
God Bless...We will all miss you Lovey.
Adalia Salon
December 26, 2012
Deep peace to you Auntie Rita.
Love forever,
Sheilah
Sheilah Bolger
December 23, 2012
Wonderful memories of you Auntie! I love you so much and will miss you.
Jeanne
December 23, 2012
Aunt Rita. I will miss you!
Thank you for all the kind and encouraging words you have expressed to me over the years. I will miss our phone calls, cards and special letters that we have exchanged. I can hear your voice now calling me “lovey” and I can still see your smiling face that would glow the room. You will never be forgotten in my heart.
Uncle Gene, Gene, David and Linda, I am so sorry for your loss.
Love to you all,
Suzanne
I thought I saw her face today
In the sparkle of the morning sun.
And then I heard the angel say
“Her work on earth is done.”
I thought I heard her voice today
Then laugh her hearty laugh.
And then I heard the angel say
“There's peace little one at last.”
I thought I felt her touch today
In the breeze that rustled by.
And then I heard the angel say
“The spirit never dies.”
I thought that she had left me
For the stars so far above.
And then I heard the angel say
“She left you with her love.”
I thought that I would miss her
And never find my way.
And then I heard the angel say
“She's with you every day.”
Suzanne Reardon
December 22, 2012
You will be missed...
Suzanne & Paul Reardon
December 22, 2012
Dear Auntie Rita,
Gabriella and I have fond memories of you from our visits to Maine. We will miss having those “yummy” Tootsie Pops with you.
Love Always, Lily and Gabriella
If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever - Winnie the Pooh
Lily & Gabriella Reardon
December 22, 2012
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Funeral services provided by:
Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home199 Woodford Street, Portland, ME 04103
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