Obituary of Rita M. Gallant

Bangor & Hampden – Rita M. Gallant, 91, wife of Joseph P. Gallant, died Dec. 17, 2020 in Bangor after a brief illness. She was born July 29, 1929 in St. David, the daughter of Joseph and Annie (Martin) LaChance. Rita was a dedicated and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker to her family and worked as a CNA at St. Joseph Hospital, Bangor in her early years and was a longtime communicant of St. Paul the Apostle Parish. In addition to caring for her family, Rita spent much of her time as a caregiver and volunteer having been involved with hospice since their early days in Bangor and was a 1992 Jefferson Award winner for her work with hospice. Rita was artistic and enjoyed many things.  She was an accomplished oil painter teaching at Hampden Academy and going to art shows in the Bangor area where she displayed her oil painting work. She enjoyed cross country skiing, square dancing and her card playing group, the “Gambling Grannies”. Most of all, she loved her family and she was well loved by all.

Surviving in addition to her husband of Bangor are six children, Martin J. Gallant and his wife, Mary of Ellsworth, Mary E. Gallant of Prospect, Karen J. Leighton of Holden, Joseph P. Gallant, Jr. and his wife, Susan of Portland, David J. Gallant of Biddeford and John J. Gallant and his wife, Lisa of Rothesay, NB, Canada; 17 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; three sisters, Noella Ledue of Gorham, Simone McCarthy of Scarborough and Cecile Delaney of Oakland, CA; nieces and nephews. Rita was predeceased by a granddaughter, Sarah Gallant, by three brothers, Albert, Philip and Joel LaChance and by a sister, Irene Dodge.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 AM Monday, January 4, 2020 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bangor. In person attendance will be by invitation due to state and safety restrictions and a livestream will be available HERE and at https://stpaulbangor.me/watch-mass-live Burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor will be at a later date. Arrangements trusted to Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Bangor and Brewer. Messages and memories may be shared with her family at kileyandfoley.com.