Rita Gingras

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Rita Audrey (Foley) Gingras, known as the glue of her family and dedicated caregiver to others throughout her 89 years died Feb. 14, 2026, after a short illness.

Born Aug. 6, 1936, to Lillian and Francis Foley in Methuen, Mass., Rita grew up there as the youngest of seven children in a spirited Irish-Catholic family.

Rita met her husband of 65 years, Gerald Gingras, on a blind double date. Together they raised five daughters in Andover, Mass., and North Hampton, N.H. They retired to Naples, Fla., then moved in May 2025 to Middletown to be closer to family.

Throughout her life, Rita proudly carried her heritage and was guided and comforted by her Roman Catholic faith. She trusted in prayer and was certain that God was present, even in the hardest seasons. She and Gerry were very involved with their churches and related outreach programs at St. Robert's in Andover; St. Theresa's in Rye, N.H.; and St. John the Evangelist in Naples.

For many years in Methuen, Rita worked as an X-ray technologist, caring for others with steady hands and heart. She also worked with special-needs students as an ed tech in Seabrook, N.H.

Rita possessed the resilience, humor and quiet strength that defined her generation - and was no-nonsense - never afraid to refer to someone as a "horse's necktie" when she felt it was deserved. Most often, though, she was smiling and joyful.

Above all, Rita fiercely loved and was devoted to her family. She delighted in her grandchildren's adventures and deeply enjoyed traveling with her husband and friends.

She maintained lifelong friendships and easily made friends everywhere she lived, welcoming them and family to their homes. She and Gerry hosted many memorable BBQ gatherings in North Hampton, close to the beautiful New Hampshire coast.

Rita never lived far from a beach, and she loved swimming in the cold New England waters - she'd stay in with her grandkids longer than all of the other adults. She also was an avid reader, instilling that love in her daughters with weekly trips to the library.

Rita was predeceased by her daughter, Carolyn Labrie; her parents; and siblings, Delores (Babe) Monastesse, Mary Valcke, Philip Foley, Patricia Jackson, Dorothy Foley and Francis Foley Jr.

She is survived by her beloved husband; her children, Patricia Brigham (Thomas), Pamela DeLuca, Kathleen Gingras (Daniel O'Connor) and Amy Howarth; grandchildren, Peter Brigham (Victor Malof), Victoria Navarro (Frank) and Timothy Brigham, Christopher Labrie (Shaina), Olivia, Grace (Aaron Lawrence) and Maxwell DeLuca, and William and Alexander Howarth; and great-grandchildren, Lillian and Blake Labrie.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. March 14 at St. Theresa's (820 Central Road, Rye Beach, N.H.) Donations may be made to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org.)