ROCKPORT – Rita L. Leblanc, having attained the age of 100, died at her home surrounded by her loved ones, Saturday, March 17, 2018. Born in Manchester, New Hampshire, February 3, 1918 she was the daughter of John and Alphonsine Lessard Charest. Rita grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire and was a graduate of Central High School. She married Joseph O. Leblanc on September 3, 1938 at St. Augustine Church in Manchester, NH and lived her life as a devoted wife, mother and homemaker in Cambridge, MA. She also helped to support her family, working as a clerk, at Corcoran's Department Store in Cambridge.

In 2004 Mrs. Leblanc relocated to Rockport, ME where she lived happily, residing with her daughter and son-in-law. She was an active, participant in the French Conversation Group at the Rockport Library since its inception. She was an avid reader and enjoyed reading on her Kindle in recent years. She was a kind and gentle woman with a twinkle in her eye and she will be missed by all who loved her.

Mrs. Leblanc is predeceased by her husband and her siblings: William Charest, Gertrude Bourque, Mildred Lussier, Irene Trinity and Dorothy Therrien. Mrs. Leblanc is survived by her daughter Elaine Coulon and her husband Frederic, both of Rockport, ME, her granddaughter Barbara Moody and her husband Jason, a great-granddaughter, Sophie Coulon Moody and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 9, 2018 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 150 Broadway, Rockland, ME. The Reverend Hyacinth will officiate. Mrs. Leblanc will be reunited with her husband in the family crypt at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, MA at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MaineHealth Care at Home, 15 Industrial Park Road, Saco, ME 04072, or to The Sussman Hospice House, c/o Pen Bay Healthcare foundation, 22 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with Mrs. Leblanc's family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.