Marie Rita Cormier

Marie Rita (Marquis) Cormier, age 92, of Peace Dale died peacefully at home on February 6, 2014. Wife of Edgar Joseph Cormier, she is survived by her spouse of 72 years. Daughter of Moise L. and Josephine (Fortin) Marquis, mother of nine, grandmother of 16, ‘Rita’ was also great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother of many more of her children’s offspring. Born in Granby, Canada, Rita was naturalized at age 3 in South County and raised here. At 16 she was sponsored by her brothers to attend school at a convent in Quebec, and became a child of Mary, Mother of God, a gracious title that was never forgotten. Married in 1942 at St. Francis of Assisi church in Wakefield, she has been a faithful member of that congregation for the past 35 years, this after returning from a 25 year move to New Jersey to support her husband Edgar’s work. While in New Jersey, Rita studied nursing and began her own career as LPN to last over 20 years, spanning her return here to Rhode Island. Rita enjoyed many facets of life and living, visiting each of the continental 48 states with her husband and several of them with their children as they grew. As the youngest of 10 siblings, the importance of family life had always been a strength to Rita, and a characteristic that she and Edgar passed on to their own children. Grandchildren and their own growing families had always been a joy to Rita. An avid seamstress as a young lady, she worked in a local mill, while also taking time to be a companion to an older lady within Peace Dale. Sparked by a long-time enjoyment of bingo, Rita went with Edgar to the local Senior Center in Wakefield for many years. They eventually added volunteer work there, and were written up in several newspaper articles citing their pleasant nature and interest in helping others while at the center. She had also been a long time member of the Richmond Grange and the American Legion Auxiliary. Rita is survived by her husband and nine children: Laurette Vible, Yvette Doyle, Georgette Breslin, Edgar Cormier JR., Don (nee Armand) Cormier and wife Connie, Nancy Bibby and husband Tom, James Cormier and wife Dorothy, Mary Ellen Card and husband Danny, and David Cormier and wife Diane, respectively by age. The family extends their thanks to the kind workers at the VNS service of South County and the Home and Hospice Care service, each and all of whom made Rita’s final days much more comfortable with their compassionate and professional help at Rita and Edgar’s home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, February 15th at 9 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 114 High Street, Wakefield. Burial will follow in Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours are at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Friday, February 14th, from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: La Salette Shrine 947 Park St. Attleboro, MA 02703 http://www.lasalette-shrine.org/index.php/component/jdonation/?view=donation&campaign_id=1 and would be much appreciated. This site was a favorite annual visit by Rita and many of her family.