Rita Cormier, Waltham Resident for 56 Years, Dies at 85

The following is from Joyce Funeral Home.

Mrs. Rita M. (Arsenault) Cormier, of Waltham, died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014 at her home. She was 85.

Rita was born in St. Paul, New Brunswick, on June 22, 1928, a daughter of the late Emile and Domine (Breau) Arsenault, and had been a Waltham resident since 1957. She was raised in St. Paul and lived for a time in Toronto and in Halifax, Nova Scotia, before moving to Waltham. She and her husband, Owen R. Cormier, were married in St. Paul on July 26, 1955.

Until her retirement Rita worked for BLH Electronics in Waltham and in Canton. She had been a member of the Third Order of Mary and the Ladies Guild at Saint Joseph's Church in Waltham where she also served as a Eucharistic minister for many years.

In addition to her husband of 58 years, Owen, she leaves her children, Diane Buonomo and her husband, Joe, of Waltham, Debra Robichaud and her husband, Don, of Pleasant View, Tenn., Denise Lacey and her husband, Chris, of San Diego, Donna Mullin and her husband, Sean, of Temecula, Calif., and Darlene Cormier of Waltham; her grandchildren, Joe and Dan Buonomo, Robyn Robichaud, Julie, Michael, Jennifer and Christin Lacey, and Micah, Rachel and Sarah Mullin; her great-grandchildren, Haley and Brayden Buonomo; her siblings, Leo Arsenault of Notre Dame, New Brunswick, and Roger Arsenault and Irma Drew, both of Moncton, New Brunswick, and many nieces and nephews.

She was also a sister of the late Yvon, Elze, Zoel, Louis, Alfred, Herve and Domice Arsenault.

Family and friends will honor and remember Rita's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main St. (Route 20), Waltham, on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 4-7 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where her funeral mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to WCI, 135 Beaver St., Waltham MA 02452.