FORT FAIRFIELD – Rita M. Paradis, 91, wife of the late Philip J. “Mike” Paradis, passed away Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24, 2010, at a Mars Hill nursing facility, after a brief illness. She was born Dec. 28, 1918, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Otis L. and Louise (Martin) Morrow. She was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1938, and was married to Philip J. “Mike” Paradis, June 13, 1948. Rita was a lifelong communicant of Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, Fort Fairfield, and was a member of Fort Fairfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187 Ladies Auxiliary, Daughters of Isabella, Santa Maria Circle No. 427, Fort Fairfield, since 1944, and Sunshine Club, Fort Fairfield. In addition to her parents, Rita was predeceased by her husband, Philip, June 18, 1979; seven brothers, Martin, Preston, Philip “Donald,” Otis, Norman, Fredrick Sr. and Archie Morrow; and four sisters, Sister Mabel Morrow, Adeline Morrow, Marie Morrow and Yvonne Beckett. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Kristi Paradis of Presque Isle; two daughters, Corinne Hubner and her husband, John, of Columbia, S.C., and Carita Paradis of Leesville, La.; four grandchildren, Melissa Benson of Cayce, S.C., Heather and Zachary Whisnant of Lexington, S.C., and Chandler Paradis of Presque Isle; numerous nieces and nephews. The family of Mrs. Paradis wishes to thank the doctors and staff of Mars Hill Nursing Home and Skilled Unit, and Dr. Jay Reynolds and Dr. Daniel Fowler for the years of wonderful care given to Rita. Friends may call 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 1 p.m. Wednesday at Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, 147 Main St., Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Aaron Damboise, celebrant. Interment will take place after the Mass at St. Denis Catholic Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held at the St. Denis Church reception area immediately after the interment service. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Paradis to Daughters of Isabella, Santa Maria Circle No. 427, care of Mrs. Mary Campbell, 49 Fort Hill St., Fort Fairfield, ME 04742. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. <
RITA M. PARADIS
