NEWFIELD- Rita Carolyn (LaBelle) Tuttle, 89, of Newfield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 7th, 2024. She was born in Salem, Massachusetts to John B. T. LaBelle and Nettie (Kimball) LaBelle. Rita was one of ten LaBelle siblings raised in Peabody, Massachusetts. She was a true angel who walked among us. Always quick to give of herself and ask for nothing in return.
Preceded in death by her husband Harold Albert Tuttle Sr. and her Father, Mother, three Brothers and four Sisters.
Rita is survived by her Sister Ada and Brother Leo, four sons and their wives, Harold and Sue, Arthur and Christal, Mark and Trish and Steven and Liz. She had 12 Grandchildren and 17 ½ Great Grandchildren.
Rita began her career working in a pharmacy soda fountain in Peabody Mass. She received her certification in Cosmetology and was certified in Massachusetts and Maine. Her career as a housewife and mother was intertwined with her other work as a pre-school teacher, Newfield Town Clerk and Tax Collector, furniture refinisher at the Willowbrook Museum and many other positions and jobs throughout her life. Rita was always quick to help with her sons in any endeavor. She volunteered to be the bird dog and flush out birds for her 12 year old son Arthur who wanted to go bird hunting one day. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and Newfield Softball Coach.
Rita was always up for an adventure. She went snow sleding with her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren at the age of 70, parasailed with her grandson at the age of 72, Tandem Skydived for her 75th birthday, jet skied at the age of 82. She loved to take walks, hike Picket Mountain, snowshoe and cross-country ski.
Rita spent hours playing cards with friends and family. She was an avid puzzle maker and occasionally let her friends finish them for her.
Rita’s front door was always open for any visitor to stop by, drink tea and chat.
She rests peacefully now with her husband and family. There will be a funeral service at Saint Mathews Parish 19 Dora Ln, Limerick, Maine, on 15 April 2024 at 11:00am. There will be no graveside service
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com