PRESQUE ISLE – Rita I. Johnson, 76, passed away quietly Oct. 22, 2005, at a Presque Isle healthcare facility. She was born Nov. 21, 1928, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Arthur and Annie (Maskell) McCausland Sr. Rita lived in the Ashland area for most of her life and worked for Potato Service in Presque Isle for 13 years. She was also employed in maintenance and security for the Great Northern Paper Company for 12 years. One of 14 children, Rita married Ray Johnson in 1948. She was mostly a homebody, but did enjoy playing bingo. Her greatest pleasure, however, was her family and she will be deeply missed and long remembered for her kindness and generosity. She is survived by one daughter, Vera Hayes and her husband, Steve, of Presque Isle; three sisters, Maxine McCausland of Presque Isle, Gloria Howe of Mapleton and Linda Orman and her husband, Charles, of Florida; one brother, Harry McCausland and his wife, Marie, of Massachusetts; one half-sister, Elizabeth Tracy of Howland; one granddaughter, Kelly Cray; four grandsons, Merlin “Buzzy” Cray, Kevin and David Cray, and Joshua Hayes; three great- grandsons, Aaron, Nicholas and Devin. She was predeceased by her husband, Ray Johnson in 1994 and by three sisters and six brothers, Ethel Berner, Laura Kline, Thelma Johnson, George, Robert, William, David, Arthur Jr., and Archie McCausland. Relatives and friends may call noon until time of service on Tuesday at the Stimson-Ouellette Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., Ashland. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home 2 p.m. Tuesday with Pastors Earl Durost and Donald Morton Jr. officiating. Committal service and interment will be in the Masardis Municipal Cemetery.
RITA I. JOHNSON
