Rita LaPlante

Rita Marie (Paquin) LaPlante, 86, passed away on March 5, 2018 at the Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH surrounded by her family. She was born on January 23, 1932 in Lawrence, MA the daughter of Aime and Antoinette (Bretton) Paquin.

On June 2, 1952 she married Robert LaPlante. They settled in Methuen, MA where they built a home and raised their four children. Rita retired from AT&T in North Andover where she worked for twenty-five years.

Rita is predeceased by her husband, Robert LaPlante, and her brother, Paul Paquin.

Rita is survived by her children: Jim and his wife, Kristie of Harrison, ME, Cheryl and her husband, Doug Thompson of Newton, NH, Cindy and her husband, Jon Palen of Raymond, NH, and Karen LaPlante of Portsmouth, NH. She leaves behind nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She also leaves her sister, Irene Mills and her husband, Don of South Windsor, CT; brother Bill Paquin and his wife, Cora of Venice, FL; and her sister, Jane Moffatt of Spokane, WA. She leaves behind twenty-three nieces and nephews. Rita also had a loving companion, Fred Pultar, with whom they shared many happy years together.

Extremely active throughout her lifetime, Rita was a strong walker. Most recently she walked three miles in the Portsmouth Alzheimer’s Walk in September. She loved walking in her neighborhood and tending to her rose garden around her beloved home. Whenever there was 50s music playing, especially Perry Como, you would find her lighting up and dancing. She also enjoyed her yearly camping trip with family and loved to swim in the lakes and ocean. Most family gatherings you would find Rita laughing and playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 1:00-4:00 pm at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen. A celebration of life service will be held during the visitation at 3:00 pm. Memorial donations in Rita's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at www.alzmass.org/spirit or mailed to 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.