Rita M. Gobeil

(October 30, 1938 - October 9, 2023)

Rita M. Gobeil, 84, of Derby Line, VT died on October 9, 2023 in Newport, VT. She was born on October 30, 1938 in Holland, VT to Rufus and Dorilda (Lussier) Patenaude. She was raised in Derby Line and graduated from Sacred Heart High School, where she was a stand-out basketball player. On October 18, 1958, she married the love of her life, Raymond Gobeil, who passed on June 24, 2023. They are now together for eternity.

Rita is survived by her children: Gigi Judd (Brad) of Derby, John Gobeil (Laura) of Derby, Brigitte Husband (Rudy) of Downingtown, PA, Paul Gobeil (Tammy Blais) of Newport, and Celeste Gobeil (Joe Capprini) of Hooksett, NH. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Rita was predeceased by her brothers Raymond, Joseph, Leo, Omer, Peter and Larry Patenaude, and her sisters Anita LaFleur, Marielle Morin, Cecile Wheeler and Jeanine Lague. She is survived by sister Rose LaChance and sisters-in-law, Lucille Patenaude, Paula Sousa, Lorraine Gosselin, and Darlene Gobeil.

After a brief stint in Montreal, Rita returned to Derby, where she and Raymond acquired her father's nursing home, and she provided patient assistance while Raymond served as administrator. Upon their retirement from the nursing home, Rita and Raymond split their time between Derby and their home in Lantana, FL until the COVID pandemic hit and they returned to Derby permanently. Rita's Catholic faith was very important to her. Over the years she supported the Altar Society, Catechism, volunteered for Bingo, and sang in the choir. As a parishioner she faithfully attended mass at St. Edward's parish and when she became a resident at Michaud Manor, she visited the chapel every day she could.

Rita was always active. She loved dancing, gardening, cooking, and transforming old things into unique home decorations. Like Raymond, she was a bit of a handyman. Later in life she returned to an early passion of hers: painting. Since 2020 Rita completed more than 30 landscape works of art for family and friends. But nothing was more important to Rita than her family. Her happiest moments included fishing for lake perch with her children and grandchildren, making tourtieres during the holidays, and cooking "Grammy" noodles whenever her grandchildren were in town.

Friends may call from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Friday October 20, 2023 at the Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Derby. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Derby Line, with Father Bilodeau officiating. A reception will follow at Le Belvedere. If friends desire, memorial contributions in Rita's name may be made to St. Edward's Catholic Church, 191 Clermont Terrace, Newport, VT 05855. On-line condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.