After a life dedicated to serving, loving and praising her Lord Jesus Christ, Rita Marie Goulet has left her earthly home and is now on the journey to her heavenly home which has been prepared for her. Rita passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at the Glenn Kiser Hospice Home in Salisbury. She has left her family and friends many happy memories and loving thoughts.
Rita was born in Moosup, Connecticut on Nov. 12, 1925, to French parents Hildege and Alexandrina (Lavallee) Goulet who resided in Manville and Woonsocket, RI. She was 11th in the family of 12. Four of her siblings died at very tender ages. The remaining eight stayed close to home in Rhode Island and Connecticut. She was preceded in death by three brothers - Leonard Goulet, Hector Goulet, and Paul Goulet. One brother, Lucien Goulet, resides in Woonsocket, RI with his wife Aline. Three sisters also passed away - Mathilda Lariviere, Arline Carrier, and Cecile Cournoyer. She leaves many nieces and nephews who have transplanted to various parts of the country.
Rita never married but devoted her life to being a servant to her Lord. She left home at the age of 18 (1944) to commence and train for a life of becoming a nun. She went to the Provincial House for the Sisters of Saint Anne in Montreal, Quebec. After she completed her final vows in 1948, she remained in Montreal to teach in the parochial schools. Her most memorable time was at Holy Family School. She loved teaching and taught all lower grades. During the summer months, she would attend Anna Maria College in Marlboro, MA to receive credits for her teaching credentials.
In 1972, after many years of completing her assignments in the religious field, Rita left the sisterhood due to illness, but her love of teaching allowed her to remain at Holy Family as a lay teacher. She remained there many years until her retirement in 1986. One of the things she greatly enjoyed was her freedom to travel. Even after retiring, she remained faithful to her commission of teaching. Many of her students, and the parents, will always remember Sister Mary Pauline Rita.
In 2008, she transitioned to North Carolina to live with her niece, Muriel King in Concord. Due to declining health, she moved in with great-niece, Kim Gragg and her family in Salisbury, NC, and was with them to the end of her days. Rita impacted many people here with her influential attitude and her contagious smile.
A memorial service was held at Concord First Assembly, Suite 30, on Monday, May 12, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. with Pastor Phil Bennett officiating. Fournier & Fournier will be assisting the family in Manville, RI. A graveyard service at St. James Cemetery in Manville, RI will be held on Monday, May 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that any donations be sent to the Glenn Kiser Hospice Home, 1229 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC 28144.