Rita Theresa Ward

Newburgh, Maine- Rita Theresa Ward, 100, died peacefully, surrounded by family at her home on March 23, 2026. She was born June 6, 1925, in Exeter, Maine, the daughter of Alfred and Marie (Mercier) Laflamme.

Rita attended school in Exeter and lived on a farm. After leaving the farm, she moved to Brewer and worked at Viner Shoe. She met her future husband, Richard Ward, when he was visiting his cousin in Brewer. They wed in 1949 and shared 58 years of marriage. The couple settled in Newburgh on the Ward Family Farm and Rita did the bookkeeping for the farm as well as caring for their two children. She later worked as a bookkeeper at local auctions and then became a cook at the Newburgh Elementary School. She enjoyed being with all of the children and serving home cooked lunches with her dear friend, Esther. Rita was an extraordinary seamstress, making clothes and alterations for family and friends. She was so proud of sewing her daughter's wedding dress. Rita truly loved her family and hosted the Laflamme family reunion each year around Labor Day. Her homemade rolls were always a favorite treat. In recent years, Rita wrote a book of her Life Stories that is cherished by dozens of neighbors and family members. She also received the Boston Post Cane for being the oldest resident in Newburgh. Rita wants to be remembered as a "farm girl."

Surviving are her daughter, Rinda White and her husband, Bill; her daughter-in-law, Christine Ward; five grandchildren, Renee Ward Kelly and her husband, Michael, Renita Ward-Downer and her fiancé, John Ford Jr., R. Ryan Ward and his wife, Sarah, Alayna Hebert and her husband, James, Cassandra White and her husband, Joel; 9 great-grandchildren, Ryan and Ian Kelly, Tristan and Cade Downer, Emma, Logan, and Nathan Ward, Bernadette and Felix Hebert; two great-great grandchildren, Emerson and Liam Kelly; her sister Claire Brown and sister-in-law Donna Butler; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her dear husband, Richard; her beloved sons, Roger and David; her brothers, Raoul, Aurele, Adelaide; and sisters, Rose and Aline.

Those who wish to remember Rita in a special way may make gifts in her memory to St. Josephs Healthcare Foundation, PO Box 1638, Bangor, ME 04402-1638, including a note for the Hospice Program. A private graveside service will be held at a later date.