Top Banner for Rita M. LeBlond Obituary
Rita M. LeBlond Obituary

Brought to you by Hope Memorial Chapel

Rita M. LeBlond

Biddeford, Maine

November 12, 1928 - April 9, 2021

Rita M. LeBlond Obituary

Mrs. Rita M. LeBlond, 92, of Biddeford, passed away Friday, April 9th, 2021, at Gosnell Hospice House following an extended illness. Rita was born November 12th, 1928, in Biddeford, Maine to Mr. Albert Chretien and Mrs. Albertine (Brulotte) Chretien. She attended school in Biddeford where she graduated from St. Josephs High School. On a cold Sunday afternoon while skating at Silver Springs Skating Rink in Biddeford she met a young man who asked her to skate. He would become the love of her life. On May 20th, 1950, Rita married Emile Le Blond Jr. at St. Josephs Church in Biddeford, Maine. They went on to spend 57 wonderful years together until his passing in May of 2007. Rita had a remarkable career as an executive assistant starting with the Saco Lowell Corporation. She was later employed by St. Francis College/The University of New England School of Medicine retiring in 1990 after more than 30 years. Following her retirement she spent winters in Bonita Springs, Florida and summers in Maine. In addition to being a loving wife, mother and grandmother Rita lived a full and active life. She played golf in the Deep Brook Womens Golf League until the age of 88 developing a tremendous love for the game of golf. As a volunteer she held a variety of positions with the Decary Little League, Fremont Club, Westbrook Skating Rink, and Knights of Columbus Womens Auxiliary. Rita also volunteered for over 30 years until the age of 90 for Southern Maine Healthcare. Rita traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally. She especially loved Paris and cherished traveling cross country with her husband Emile. Her grandchildren admired her adventurous personality. Most notable is her participation in Powderpuff Derby races as a driver. She was an accomplished quilter and seamstress and loved gardening as well. Rita had a deep appreciation for the arts. She worked as an usher for the Philharmonic in Naples, Florida where she enjoyed many performances by well known artists and musicians. She was a lifelong learner inspiring her children and grandchildren to pursue and value education. As a mother and a grandmother, Rita actively supported her children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors. She is preceded in death by her husband Emile; her parents Albert and Albertine Chretien; Brother Victor "Mel" Chretien, son-in-law Joel Potvin and her granddaughters husband William Fulford III. Rita is survived by her children Marguerite "Peggy" Belanger of Saco; Marie Potvin of Biddeford; Thomas LeBlond and his wife Denise of Biddeford; Jeanne Curzake and her husband John Jr. of Wakefield, R.I.; David LeBlond and his wife Jill of Biddeford. Grandchildren Breanna Young and her husband Ryan, Samuel Belanger, Matthew Potvin and his wife Meghan, Ashley Potvin-Fulford, Renaie LeBlond and her fiance Chris, Nicholas LeBlond, Joshua LeBlond, John Curzake III, Zachary Curzake, Emilia Curzake, Travis LeBlond and his wife Renee, and Wyatt LeBlond and his fiance Chelsea. Sisters Yvonne Galucci of Biddeford and Jeanette Johnson of CT; brothers Robert Chretien and his wife Lorraine of Biddeford and Norman Chretien and his wife Bonnie of Ottawa, Illinois. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 15th, 2021, at St. Josephs Church in Biddeford. A private burial will be held at St. Josephs Cemetery in Biddeford. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel. To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: The Joel Potvin Memorial Scholarship and/or A Running Passion in honor of William Fulford III in care of Marie Potvin.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Rita M. LeBlond hosted by Hope Memorial Chapel.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Rita M. LeBlond.