Rita D. Bird

    Fort Fairfield – Rita D. Bird , 89, wife of the late Ray H. Bird, passed away Wednesday, morning, February 06, 2008 at a Presque Isle nursing facility following a brief illness. She was born August 3, 1918 in New Canada, the daughter of Henry G. and Catherine (Michaud) Bouchard.     She attended elementary school in Fort Kent and completed her high school education at the former Madawaska Training School. Rita was married to Ray H. Bird on November 24, 1981 and was a communicant of the St. Denis Catholic Church, Fort Fairfield for many years. She was employed in the telephone industry for many years, the Fort Kent Telephone Company in the 1950’s and while residing in Presque Isle, worked for A.T.&T until her retirement in 1983, and was a lifetime member of the A.T.&T Pioneers.
    Following her mother’s death, Rita helped raise eleven siblings as her own children including three brothers, Bernard Bouchard and his wife Saphronia of Cross Lake and Clearwater, FL, Leon Bouchard and his wife Aline of Manchester, CT and Sebring, FL, Bertram Bouchard and his wife Lola of Fort Kent; three sisters, Theresa Young of Fort Kent and Sebring, FL, Phyllis Brimecombe of West Simsbury, CT, Sara M. Corrow and her husband Dan of Newport Richie, FL; two sisters-in-law, Isabelle Bouchard of Fort Kent, Florence Bouchard of Scarborough; three step-children, Ray, Stephen and Jeff Bird; numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bird was predeceased by her husband Ray on April 29, 1989; three brothers, Gilman, George and Philip Bouchard and one sister, Jacqueline Bouchard.
    Friends called Sunday, February 10, 2008 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield, where a vigil service was conducted at 7:30 p.m. by the Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie. A Mass Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, February 11, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the St. Denis Catholic Church with the Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie celebrant. Interment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield, later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Bird to the St. Denis Catholic Memorial Fund, 143 Main Street, Fort Fairfield, 04742. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.