Madawaska---Rita M. Lavoie, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at a Madawaska health care facility. She was born in St. Agatha on September 16, 1927, daughter of the late Emile V. and Agnes (Picard) Michaud. Rita was a communicant of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. She worked for many years as a nurse's aide at High View Manor and also in the laundry department. Rita enjoyed her daily walks, reading, doing puzzles, baking, crocheting, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends. Rita was a strong, faithful, and compassionate lady with a beautiful smile. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is survived by two sons, Aurel Lavoie and his wife Joan of Frenchville, Ronald Lavoie and his wife Renee of Killingworth, CT; six daughters, Rachel Holmquist and her husband Larry of Saco, Carol Roberts and her husband Chuck of Taylorsville, NC, Diane Dionne and her husband Donald of St. David, Elaine Fongemie and her husband Paul of Fairfield, Pierrette Soucy and her husband Jim of Madawaska, Mona Kilian and her husband Richard also of Madawaska; one brother, Lewis Michaud and his wife Rinette of Orono; two sisters, Sister Aurelie Michaud DW of St. Agatha, Dorilda "Titite" Daigle and her husband Norman of St. David; eighteen grandchildren, twenty eight great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; her children's father, Robert Lavoie of Madawaska. Rita was predeceased by an infant son, Mark Allen Lavoie; three brothers, Norman, Aurel, and Camille Michaud. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10am on Thursday, November 13 at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Family and friends may call at Lajoie Funeral Home from 6-8pm on Wednesday and from 9am until 9:45am on Thursday before the service. Interment will be held later in the spring in the Parish cemetery.