PORTLAND – Rita Lucille Qualey died Sept. 21, 2009, with her family by her side at Mercy Hospital. She was born May 18, 1918, in Benedicta, to parents Lewis and Flora MacDonald Qualey. She had six sisters and two brothers. She was educated in Benedicta schools, graduating from St. Benedicts High School in 1935. She received her nurses training at Madigan Memorial Hospital, Houlton, with affiliation in New York, Rhode Island and Portland. She practiced nursing in Bangor, California, Florida and Portland. She worked for War Foods Administration briefly during World War II. She retired from Mercy Hospital in 1983 after more than 30 years as head nurse. She was devoted to her patients and sought opportunities to update her skills. Rita was an active member of St. Patrick’s Parish and its Women’s Council. She served for many years as extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and visitor to the sick at a local nursing home. She was a member of Madigan Memorial Hospital Alumni Association and was an honorary member of Mercy Alumni Association. She was a past member of the American Nurses Association. Rita remained close to her family and was warmly welcomed into their homes. She enjoyed watching the children grow. She lived for many years with her sister, Christina and her family. She made a home for her father after her mother’s death. She moved to 75 State St., in 2002. She was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling to Europe, Ireland, Canada, Mexico and throughout the U.S. She frequently visited and traveled with her sister, Bernadette. She was predeceased by her sisters, Marion Savard, Gertrude Conant, Teresa Hansen and Sister Mary Luanus, RSM Agnes; and brother, Louis. She is survived by her brother, Albert and wife, Rowena, of Benedicta; sister, Christina Heskett of Portland; sister, Bernadette Hunt of Auburn, Calif.; numerous, nieces and nephews and their families. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland, where prayers will be recited 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, with an 11 a.m. concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, 1342 Congress St., Portland. Interment will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at St. Benedict’s Cemetery, Benedicta. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s name may be made to the Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 605 Stevens Ave., Portland, ME 04103. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com.
RITA LUCILLE QUALEY
