Born Feb. 26, 1924, to her parents Edward and Rosalinda (St. Michelle) Petit in Biddeford. She set the standard for strong, independent women everywhere.
At age of 17 she was a pregnant widow. Her belated 18th birthday present was her daughter Joan who was born the day after. They remained inseparable until Joan’s death in 2017.
In 1947, she married Wilfred Dugal in Biddeford. They spent 30 years together until his death in 1977.
She worked in the Saco mills for 16 years as a spinner at Bates. After, she worked at Sanford Shoe in stitchery. She then went on to Corning Components as a welder, where she retired in 1983.
Rita loved life. Even during her retirement, she stayed busy. Somehow, between all of the grandchildren, she found the time to: volunteer with hospitals, knitted hats for Southern Maine Health Care and Head Start, played cards, and spent time with her lifelong friends. Rita loved road trips, taking many bus tours with her daughter and grandchildren traveling around the country and Canada. Rita always had a shoulder to cry on, a good idea, or a dirty joke when all else failed. Nothing shocks the laughter out of you during a bad situation like a self-proclaimed little old lady telling a joke that would make a trucker blush.
Rita leaves behind: her sister Rachel Saucier; a clan of Hausleins: Grandchildren: John, his wife Ruth, Janet and Joyce. Great-Grandchildren: Kammy-Lee and husband Derek, Jonathan; and a few Savoy’s: Victoria, and husband Jorge, Melynda, and Katrena. She was expecting her first Great-Great-grandchild this coming September.
A Memorial service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s name may be made to “Breast Cancer Awareness.”
Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel.
To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
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