Rita M. Picard

Rita M. Picard 1922-2009     Rita M. (Labonte) Picard, 87, passed away at the Birch Manor Nursing Home in Chicopee on Monday, April 27, 2009 in the presence of her loving family.  Born in Springfield and a resident of Indian Orchard and Ludlow for most of her life, she was the daughter of the late Adelor and Beatrice (Therrien) Labonte.  Rita was a retired nurse's aide having worked for several years at Heritage Hall in Agawam.  She was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church in Ludlow and was a member of the parish Ladies of St. Anne Society. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family at numerous events. She was known to have a special knack for remembering birthdays and other special dates for family and extended family members.  Rita was a natural caregiver who always extended a helping hand.  She had a fondness for animals especially her pet dogs.  Rita was predeceased by her husband of (35) years, Albert J. Picard who passed in 1974 and a sister, Corinne (Labonte) Berthiaume of Sherborn, MA.  She leaves her (2) sons, Albert Picard and his wife Marilyn of Ludlow, Norman Picard and his wife Christine of East Otis, her (3) daughters, Gloria Ferland and her husband Keith of Plymouth, NH, Theresa Beaudreault and her husband Ray of McKinney, TX; Cecilia Breor and her husband Dave of Chicopee, her brother, Louis Labonte and his wife Shirley of Springfield, (11) grandchildren and (15) great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2009 from the Ratell Funeral Home 200 Main St., Indian Orchard at 9 a.m., followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial in St. John the Baptist Church, Ludlow at 10 a.m.  Burial will be in St. Aloysius Cemetery, Indian Orchard.  Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2009 from 4 to 8 p.m.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Rita's memory may be made to St. John the Baptist Church Pastoral Care Center 181 Hubbard St., Ludlow, MA  01056 or to the  American Parkinson Disease Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 715 Albany St., Suite C-329, Boston, MA 02118. For Guest Book visit ratellfuneralhome.com