Rita M. LaBonte
1937 – 2010
Putnam – Rita M. LaBonte, 73 of Sabin St. died Saturday October 30, 2010 in Day Kimball Hospital. She was the loving wife of the late Henry W. “Hank” LaBonte, Sr. Born in Flint, MI. She was the daughter of the late Remus and Elisabeth (Langer) Rein.
Mrs. LaBonte was an administrative assistant for Day Kimball Hospital. She was a graduate of Texas Lutheran College that was founded by her grandfather and a member of Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church where she sang in the church choir. She enjoyed listening to music, sewing, painting, and restoring antique furniture.
She is survived by two sons, David LaBonte and Donald LaBonte both of Brewster, MA; two daughters, LuAnn Norris of Lakeview, IA and Elizabeth Trudeau of Wiscasset, ME; a brother, Victor Rein of Tigard, OR; a sister, Lyn Boetcher of Graham, WA, twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Henry LaBonte, Jr. who died in 1992.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Rita’s family from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, on Tuesday November 2, 2010, in Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 54 Cedar Swamp Rd, Smithfield, RI with a Funeral Service at 10:30 am in the church. Private burial will be held in South Cemetery in Pomfret. Gilman Funeral Home has been entrusted with her arrangements. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church. For memorial guestbook, please visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Jane E. Duffany
I worked with Rita at Day Kimball Hospital. She was a kind and gentle soul, a real lady. My co-worker and I used to tease her and sing “lovely, Rita, meter maid”. She had no idea that it was a Beatles song until we told her so.
She was a real gem of a woman and will be missed.
Shirley DeFosse
TO ALL THE FAMILY : MY SINCERE SYMPATHY TO ALL OF YOU,BUT SPECIAL THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO ELIZABETH WHO I HAVE THOUGHT OF OFTEN WITH BEING HER BABYSITTER WHEN THE FAMILY LIVED IN CENTRAL VILLAGE HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE FINE STAY STRONG GOD BLESS
Grandma & Grandpa Smith
Don, Barb, TJ, & Tyler Sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you. Hugs and kisses for all.
Nancy Weiss
Dear Elizabeth and Family – Jim and I send our sincere condolences at the loss of your mother. Rita was so gracious, stylish and devoted to Hank and all of you. We remember many happy times with them long ago. Rita always looked so pretty and greeted the world with warmth and charm.
Sincerely,
Jim and Nancy Weiss
LuAnn Norris
To all who knew Mom, she was the epitome of beautiful! She was very classy and will be missed by all her family and friends! There is a hole in our hearts right now that will someday close but will never really heal! Not in this world! We will be here for each other and for friends whom she cared deeply about! She really cared about her job at Day Kimball and all who worked with her! She loved throwing parties and making sure that everyone had a good time! She never forgot her friends when she had to move but always kept closely in touch! We have another angel watching over us! May God bless all of you!!