FORT KENT – Rita Marie (Morin) Gardner, 70, died suddenly March 28, 2011. She was born July 24, 1940, in St. Francis, the daughter of Guy and Mary (Deschaine) Morin.
Rita worked as a special education teacher in the earlier years, later caring for foster children at her home. She was a member of the SAD 27 school board, St. Francis Historical Society and Ladies of St. Anne, Fort Kent.
She is survived by eight children, Mark Gardner of St. Francis, Dana and his wife, Jolene Gardner, of Fort Kent, Dale Gardner of Warren, Sissy Cyr of Kingston, N.H., Sherri MacLaren of Winterport, Shawn Gardner of Bangor, Krystina Gardner of Kingston, N.H., and Marcus Gardner of St. Francis; 10 grandchildren, many brothers and sisters; and a special sister, Bertha Michaud.
Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-10:15 a.m. Friday at Daigle Funeral Home, Fort Kent. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday at St. Charles Catholic Church, St. Francis.