Rita B. Bard

Rita B. Bard, 95
WESTBROOK -- Rita B. Bard, 95, of Westbrook, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, at Springbrook, Westbrook, where she resided the last three years.
Rita was born on Sept. 8, 1918, in Westbrook, the oldest of the four children of Bertha Bernier (Bourque) and Gilbert Bernier. A lifelong resident of Westbrook, she graduated from Westbrook High School before proudly going out into the working world during The Great Depression and would years later often reminisce about the days of selling bonds at the shipyard during World War II. She later co-owned the Busy Bee Bakery also in Westbrook where she would work until it closed in 1974. She shared many fond memories of her bakery days and of the old Westbrook that she loved. Her next adventure brought her to work for Lady Grace where she stayed until retiring at the young age of 70.
Rita was always so full of life. She didn't stop driving until almost the age of 90. Her secret she would say was a clove of garlic a day and maybe a five o'clock cocktail. For Rita many memories were made staying up at camp or during her years of retirement traveling to Vegas and Atlantic City with her sister Ruthie. Rita never had biological children but when her sister Rebecca passed away in 1984, she took over as the mother/grandmother figure to her niece Susan and Susan's daughter Kelly. Years later when Kelly married David Andrews, Rita now had a grandson to add to her family and boy did she love him. She kept him on speed dial and he gladly came running anytime she needed him or if she just wanted to chat. The family would laugh as she never missed a chance to say 'Oh love to Dave' in her thick French accent every time before hanging up the phone. Rita spent many of her days at Susan's and enjoyed helping Susan with her daycare or when she was caring for her granddaughter MacKenzie 'Kenzie' who was the apple of Rita's eye. Rita touched so many lives and has MANY children and grandchildren of the heart that all know her and love her as 'Auntie Rita.' She lived for the moments she spent with them all and celebrated watching them each grow. As far as she was concerned, they were all her children.
Rita loved the holidays, family gatherings or any chance to get together and play a game of Scat. She loved her 'chi chi's (cats) and spending time relaxing watching golf. She was a communicant of St. Hyacinth's Church in Westbrook. Rita was deeply loved and will be sadly missed by many.
She is survived by her brother, Bob Bernier and his wife Marjorie of Standish; her nieces, Susan McBride (Nicholas) and fiance Dan Conner of Westbrook, Eleanor Harmon (Bernier) and Clarence of Standish, nephews, Rick Ludka and Debbie of Westbrook, Bruce Ludka and Denise of Windham, Larry Bernier and Debbie of Florida, Gilbert Bernier and Karen of Georgia; many great-nieces and nephews; as well as many great-great-nieces and nephews too. Rita was predeceased by both parents; her sisters, Rebecca Nicholas (Bernier), and Ruth Ludka (Bernier); and nephews, Stephen Nicholas and Steve Ludka.
Friends and family are invited to join us for a memorial Mass in her honor on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 1 p.m., at St. Hyacinth's Church (St. Anthony of Padua) in Westbrook. Following the Mass we will proceed to St. Hyacinth's Cemetery on Stroudwater Street. Online condolences can be expressed at blaisandhayfuneralhome.com.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Springbrook for their love and care.
Rita B. Bard