Rita I. Dugas

It is with great sadness that the family of Rita (Marien) Dugas announce her passing on November 30 at the age of 88. Rita was born on March 22, 1937, the youngest child of Joseph & Irene (Bourdon) Marien. She grew up on South "A" Street in Taftville surrounded by her four siblings and a large extended family. Taftville held fond memories for her and she always had a special place in her heart for her hometown and all the friends and family who were a part of her life.
Rita attended Sacred Heart School and Norwich Free Academy, graduating in 1955. While at NFA, she was an enthusiastic tumbler known for her legendary backbends and splits. In her youth she enjoyed playing basketball at the Shyma Club and going dancing at the Jewett City Hotel with her brother Pete and their friends.
As a young woman, Rita worked in the office at Ponemah Mills before leaving to raise her family. In 1969, she took a job with the Norwich Public Schools school lunch program working at several schools before becoming the cafeteria manager at Moriarty School. She worked there for many years before retiring in 1996. Her sweet, kind disposition and beautiful smile are remembered by the many students she fed each day.
On September 21, 1957 she married Robert L. Dugas at St. Joseph Church in Occum. They shared 68 years of marriage during which they made wonderful memories together.
Rita was a creative and talented crafter making many beautiful home decor and holiday decorations. She loved her yearly scrapbooking trips to Purity Springs Resort in New Hampshire where she delighted in the laughter and camaraderie with her daughters and the "scrapbook girls". Her beautiful scrapbooks will by cherished by her family for years to come. Rita was an accomplished seamstress who made many stylish outfits for herself and her daughters. She was known for her fashionable clothes and her sense of style.
Rita was a true adventurer who loved to travel. From zip-lining in Costa Rica to whitewater rafting in Maine, she was always ready for the next adventure. She travelled to many European countries in addition to numerous other destinations. Some of her favorite trips were when she and Bob went to Alaska and took a helicopter ride to a glacier and when they visited the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell and Zion National Park. One of her favorite travel companions was Msgr. Les Janik with whom she shared many memorable laughs and adventures.
As a young woman Rita was involved in girl scouting. Along with her friend and sister-in-law Gerry Marien, she continued her love of scouting by becoming a troop leader. She was a proud member of the Taftville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary where she made many lifelong friendships that she cherished.
Rita was proud of her French Canadian heritage and enjoyed making holiday meat pies with her daughters. She was a devout follower of her Roman Catholic faith, an active member of her church and was a member of the St. Joseph Church Rosary Altar Society.
Rita was actively involved in the lives of her grandchildren supporting them by attending baseball and lacrosse games, band competitions, along with Bob hosting many sleepovers, and traveling to New York to see Brooke & Dan.
She was predeceased by her parents Joseph & Irene (Bourdon) Marien, her brothers Roger, Richard (Dish) and Pete Marien, her sister Doris Marien, her grandson Tyler Markey, and her mother-in-law Rosalida Dugas.
She is survived by her husband Bob Dugas; her children Kathy Cirillo (Vinnie), Karen Esposito (Mark McNally) and James Dugas (Debbie); her grandchildren Kyle & Dylan Markey, Brooke (Esposito) Planamento, Dan Esposito and Chad & Ryan Dugas; her great-grandchildren MaKaylah & Lila Dugas, Grayson & Cole Planamento and Quintin & Brody Markey; Hadley Dugas, her sister Theresa Portelance; her sister-in-law Gerry Marien and brother-in-law Alfred Dugas and many nieces and nephews.
Rita was a devoted wife and mother known for her kindness, generosity and compassion. She will be deeply missed but her legacy of love will live on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rita's family would like to thank the staff at Norwichtown Rehabilitation & Care Center, especially Kate, Cecelia, Ann and Jeff, for caring for her with kindness, dignity and compassion during her time with them.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, December 6, 10:00 at St. Joseph Church, 11 Baltic Road, Occum CT.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, an organization that was dear to Rita's heart.
www.stjude.org/donate