Rita R. Culliton

YARMOUTH: Rita R. Culliton, 81, of Lewiston, Maine died Monday June 20, 2016 at Coastal Manor in Yarmouth . She was born in Lewiston on September 21, 1934 a daughter of the late Arthur and Albertine (Houle) Girardin. She was educated in Auburn at St. Louis and Walton schools and graduated from Edward Little High School, class of 1952. Rita served in the Women’s Army Corps from 1952 to 1954. She worked for the Telephone Company and retired from New England Telephone.

She married Wilfred J. Culliton on August 23, 1959 in Seattle, Washington where she spent 15 wonderful years with his family and friends.

She was a member of Holy Family Church where she served on the Ladies of St. Ann and Holy Family Life Committee and Endowment Committees. Rita was also a member of the Telephone Company Pioneers, an Associate member of the Dominican Sisters and 50 year member of Beta Sigma Phi for which she received their award, The Order of the Rose, in 2004. She was also a member of the Lewiston Seniors and Survivance Francaise.

Rita loved family get-togethers, traveling, theater and playing cards. A lifelong dog lover especially enjoyed her little dog Tiny Tim.

She is survived by her sister, Georgette Belanger, brother-in-law Wilfred (Bill) Berube, and sister-in-law Muriel Girardin and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Bill, her two sons Mark and William, her sisters; Cecile, Lucy, Jeanne, Henriette, Lorette, Theresa, Muriel and Yvette (Kate) and her brothers; Romeo (Tom) and sister-in-law Ida Girardin, Bert and Robert (Bob) and his wife Lorraine Girardin, and Marcel (Mike) and brother-in-law Bert Belanger.

Condolences may be shared in Rita’s memory at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com

FUNERAL NOTICE:

CULLITON---Rita R., 81, of Lewiston died Monday June 20, 2016. Visiting Hours will be held at Fortin\Lewiston on Thursday June 23 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Church in Lewiston on Friday June 24 at 11am followed by committal prayers and military honors at St. Peter’s Cemetery also in Lewiston. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make donations in her memory can be made to the Holy Family Endowment Fund, 607 Sabattus Street, Lewiston, ME 04240, the American Lung Assoc, 122 State Street, Augusta ME 04330 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services 70 Horton St. Lewiston, 784-4584.