Rita V. (Benoit) Gagne, 91, of Fairhaven, beloved mother and grandmother passed away peacefully at her daughter's home, where she had been cared for by her daughter Susan Bruce and granddaughter Michaela Smith.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Oliver and Delina (Barrie) Benoit, she lived in Acushnet for many years before moving to Fairhaven six years ago.
Rita was formerly employed in the garment industry prior to her retirement. She loved her family, her French heritage and gardening.
Survivors include her 5 children, Cheryl Gagne and Wayne Gagne, both of Dartmouth, Steven Gagne and his wife Wendy of Tiverton, RI, Susan Bruce and her husband Felix of Fairhaven, and Robin Bussiere and her husband Kenneth of New Bedford; 8 grandchildren, Christy Gagne, Joshua Gagne, Heather Gagne, Michaela Smith, Timothy Gagne, Ian Bussiere, and twins Ariel and Alexa Bussiere; 2 great-grandchildren, Adrien Buzzell and Landon Smith; and her siblings, Raymond Benoit, Lorraine Michalski, Loretta Shaw, Maurice Benoit and Pauline Ryan.
She was the sister of the late Florence Coleman, Ret. New Bedford Police Chief Richard Benoit and Roger Benoit.
Her Funeral will be held on Tuesday at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth at 10 AM. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4-7 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.