AUBURN–Rita Marie (Monahan) Trudeau, 80, of Auburn, died Sunday, October 7th in Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA from complications resulting from a fall. Her husband of 53 years, Richard R. Trudeau, died in 2000. She leaves five sons: Francis G. and his wife, Marie Trudeau, of Wappinger Falls, NY; Paul J. and his wife, Elsie Trudeau, of Plymouth; Ronald F. Trudeau and Camille Perkins of Burlington; Stephen J. and his wife, Elizabeth Trudeau, of Shrewsbury; and Jeffrey P. and his wife, Denise Trudeau, of Franklin; three daughters: Pamela A., wife of Michael Hipes of Kamiah, ID; Joanne M. Trudeau of South Yarmouth; and Laurie J., wife of Chuck Berry, of Worcester; 19 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Two brothers, Francis and Gerald Monahan, predeceased her.
Rita was born in Worcester, MA, the daughter of George F. and Aurora M. (LaLiberty) Monahan, and grew up on Grafton Hill. After graduating from high school, she married Richard and moved to the home they built in Auburn in 1950. Rita and Richard dedicated their lives to raising their eight children. She enjoyed bowling, square dancing, round dancing, knitting, crocheting, and family trips to the beach during the summertime, even in the rain. After the children were grown, she enjoyed traveling with Richard to various locations in the US and Canada. She was a member of Notre Dame Church in Worcester. Rita spent the past year under the loving care of her daughter Pamela in Kamiah, ID.
The funeral will be held Monday, October 15th, from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, with a Mass at 9:30 AM in Notre Dame Des Canadians–St. Joseph Church, Salem Square at Worcester Common. Entombment will be in Notre Dame Mausoleum. Calling hours are Sunday, October 14th from 2:00 until 5:00 PM in the funeral home.