Rita M Foley

Rita Mae Lee Foley was born May 3, 1927. The daughter of Walter and Katie Connelly Lee of Portland, Maine. Rita was raised in the Deering Center neighborhood, the fifth of six kids, graduating from her beloved Deering High School in 1946.

Rita was a standout athlete at Deering, lettering in basketball, field hockey and softball. Her athletic talents continued throughout her life as she taught her children and grandchildren to ski, golf, swim and skate. These lessons were taught in the states of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Rita was a founding member of the Downeast Ski Club at Pleasant Mountain. As her children grew older, Rita would often rise in the wee hours of the morning to provide rides to the neighborhood kids, ensuring everyone got safely to their destination of fun for the day.

Upon graduation, Rita began her 35 years at Ma Bell. During a weekend trek with friends to the Region House in Intervale, NH, Rita met the love of her life. This chance meeting with Charles "Buddy" Foley in 1955 lead to their wedding at St. Joseph's church in Portland, Maine in 1956.

After their children Katie and Tommy were born, Bud and Rita moved their family to Burlington, VT. Bud had graduated from UNH and it was time to start their next chapter for their family. The Foley family returned to Maine in 1969 that concluded with the arrival of their third child, Chris.

In 1976 came the unexpected and devastating passing of Bud. Rita never missed a beat and took over her now solo role as head of the household for her young family. Rita held this job until her retirement from the Telephone Company in 1988.

Rita now joins her siblings and best friends Walter, Mary, Marty, Kay and Bobby in Heaven. Rita is survived by her children, sons Tom and Chris, daughter Katie, son-in-law, Joel Rogers, granddaughters Rachael Lee of New York City and Charlotte Mae of Portland. She also was so blessed with several nieces and nephews that she held special relationships with and loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation, please consider the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074

Or, take care of someone that needs it. She would like that. "A friend in need is a friend indeed".