Rita Azalea Poirier

Rita Azalea Poirier

Rita Azalea Poirier, 103, a longtime resident of Malden, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the Golden Living Center, Dexter House in Malden, Massachusetts.

She was born in 1908 in Canada, the daughter of Robert and Ada A. (Lewis) Grant, one of nine children. Rita was raised and educated in Canada. At the age of 26, she moved to Massachusetts and settled in Reading. In 1952, Rita married Yvon A. Poirier, and the two soon moved to Malden to raise their family. They shared nearly 50 years together until Yvon's passing in 1999. Rita was an avid card player, and enjoyed playing cribbage, bridge, and "45". She also loved baseball and was thrilled to be able to see the Red Sox win the World Series twice. Her greatest joy though, was being Gramma to all of the grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Ann A. Brett of N. Weymouth, Eileen M. Poirier of Middleton, Gail W. Parent of Andover, Joyce I. Berlan of Stoneham, Paul J. Poirier of Hamilton, Patricia A. Sheehan of Malden, and Elizabeth A. Heller of Chelmsford, her sister Olney MacDonald of Canada, as well as 30 grandchildren, 57 Great Grandchildren, and 6 great-great-granchildren.

In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her husband Yvon A. Poirier, and her son Robert J. Poirier.

Visitation will be at Weir - MacCuish Funeral Home on Friday, May 6th, from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 7th, 2011 at 10:00 AM in the Weir MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, with Pastor Ruth Oduor of the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

Donations in Rita's memory may be made to Mystic Valley Elder Services, 300 Commercial Street, #19 ,Malden, MA 02148

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