Rita A. Bourque

Heaven received another angel, as Rita A. Bourque, 90, of Stafford Springs, CT, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Woodlake at Tolland. She was born in Biddeford, Maine on February 12, 1935 in poverty. Being the cherished only daughter of the late Alexander and Rosilda (Gagne) Goudreau, Rita was bestowed with love and attention and raised as a devout Roman Catholic. A popular and beautiful young woman, she caught the eye of many potential suitors. She eventually fell in love with her life long husband Robert. They moved to Hartford with nothing more than love and a hope for a better life. During their time in Harford, Mark was born. Though, then of little means, some of their fondest memories were of those spent in Elizabeth park as a young family. A few years later, they moved to New Britain into one of the GI sponsored neighborhoods where she had her son David. In 1965, they moved to their final home in Stafford Springs where she lived for 60 more years. During that time, she was an active parishioner of the St. Edward Church and a member of the Catholic Daughters. She had several jobs in town, but her longtime employment with McCormick Drug made her a known through town as a helpful friend to all. In late 1966, Rita reluctantly purchased what would become her beloved cottage in Saco, Maine. As it turned out, the cottage became her sanctuary and a focal point of family gatherings and events for the remainder of her life. Her four grandchildren, or little chickadees as they were referred to, became the focus of her life. They were blessed with living on the next street over from which they could walk through the woods to Memere’s house where they were always enthusiastically welcomed. After her husband retired, they settled into traveling, spending winters in Florida, and summers at the cottage. Possessing a vivacious temperament and endowed with a tendency to like everyone, Rita’s sphere of friends and acquaintances appeared to remain constant over time despite the passing of so many. This is a testament to her special endearing qualities. Rita is survived by her beloved husband of 71 years, Robert Bourque; sons, Mark Bourque and his wife Linda, and David Bourque; grandchildren, John Bourque, Dana Bourque and his wife Emily, Emily Livingston and her spouse Addie, and Katie Bourque; great grandchildren, Weston and Angela Sophia; brother, Donald Goudreau; and several nieces and nephews. She leaves many dear friends too numerous to mention, however, Chris Connoyer and Doris Fisher in particular were especially close to Rita. Special thanks go out to Woodlake at Tolland for their compassionate treatment of Rita during her rehabilitation efforts and her last days. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Edward Church, 55 High St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Biddeford, ME, which will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to St. Edward Church, 27 Church St., Stafford Springs, CT 06076. Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., Stafford Springs, CT, has care of the arrangements. To leave a condolence online for the family, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com