Rita L. Roy

WATERVILLE -- Rita L. Roy, 82, of Waterville passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 1, 2011, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta after a brief illness.

She was born on May 18, 1928, in Waterville, the daughter of Alphonse and Marguerite (Bourgoin) Collette. She graduated from Waterville High School in 1946.

She married Robert J. Roy on Oct. 29, 1956, in Waterville, and together they had four children. For many years, she enjoyed attending family activities and sporting events. She had a kind, gentle way and a wonderful sense of humor. Her contagious laugh could light up an entire room. She enjoyed trips to the Maine coast and spending time with her grandchildren.

She was proud to be employed by New England Telephone Co. in Waterville for 27 years, where she met many lifelong friends, retiring in 1984. After retirement, she was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, where she volunteered her time for the audio books for the blind program.

She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Roger Collette; and her husband, Robert J. Roy, who died in 2005. Rita is survived by her sister, Glenna Gervais, of Waterville; four children, Colette Hart and her husband, Garrett, of Waterville, Steven Roy and his wife, Brenda, of Waterville, Peter Roy and his wife, Lisa, of Oakland, and David Roy and his wife, Kathleen, of Waterville. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Erica, Allison, Kristina, Jessica, Nicholas, Benjamin and Lydia Roy and Chad, Christopher, Jonathan and Taylor Hart; one great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Hart; brother-in-law Richard "Chubby" Roy and his wife, Shirley, of Winslow; brother-in- law Roland Nadeau of Vassalboro; many nieces, nephews and friends, including special friends Shirley Bishop Johnson and Doris Gregory.

The family would like to thank her caregivers, including Dr. Stephanie Calkins, Becky Emery, Dot Bickford, the staff of the Woodlands in Hallowell, Dr. Arun Ranganath, the nursing staff of CCU and 4th floor oncology at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta; they will be forever grateful .

There will be no public visiting hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 112 Silver St., Waterville, on Wednesday, May 4, at 11 a.m. Committal prayers and burial will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter, 170 US Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105. Arrangements are with Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. Friends may sign a guest book and send condolences to www.gallantfh.com.