RITA LOUISE BOESCH

1931  -  2020

The hills fill my heart with the sound of music
My heart wants to sing every song it hears

My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds
That rise from the lake to the trees

My heart will be blessed with the sound of music
And I'll sing once more

Rita Louise Boesch, 88 of Kittery, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at Durgin Pines, having been surrounded by the love and devotion of her family.

Born in New York, New York on May 30, 1931, Rita was the daughter of Richard and Augusta Walsh. Her parents chose her name by combining the first two letters of Richard and the last two letters of Augusta, in which Rita always took great joy.

Rita's family moved from Hollis, a neighborhood in the borough of Queens, when she was six years old, to Cambria Heights, in Queens. It was then that her family joined Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Rita sang in the junior choir of the church and was a Girl Scout in the church's troop, with her mother as a leader. Rita enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially going on outings and camping trips with her Aunt Helen and Uncle Fred, of whom she was particularly fond.  She was very close to her sister Eileen, who has many fond memories of spending time with Rita as young women in the heart of NYC, enjoying all of the fun and adventure the city had to offer.

Rita was an extraordinary child and young woman. She attended Andrew Jackson High School, where she graduated valedictorian and delivered the commencement's welcoming address. In later years, her children and daughter-in-law would try and stump her with words, to no avail; Rita always knew not only the correct definition, but also the correct spelling.

After high school, Rita worked for IBM, where she met Harry Boesch. She and Harry were married at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on September 7, 1952. The two moved to Massapequa, and brought their first child into the world in July, 1955.

Rita and Harry made their home in Ridgefield, CT, where they raised their four children, joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and spent summer days at Great Pond. In Ridgefield, Rita was a docent at Keeler Tavern Museum on Main Street. She also ran an in-house nursery, gardened, and loved to crochet, often with the beloved family dog, Samantha, by her side. She later worked at the health food store in Ridgefield, and soon after, for Lenox, in Danbury. Rita was immensely proud of the displays she created for the health food store's front window.  She was also thrilled to have waited on the famous singer Judy Collins on more than one occasion.

She was a breast cancer survivor, who fought the battle with unbelievable stamina and a positive spirit. Rita was one of those rare souls who instinctively chose to see the good in life and in everyone around her.  She had a natural love of the ocean, and spent many hours enjoying the sun and sand at Jones Beach in Wantagh, NY.  She so enjoyed music; her all-time favorite was The Hills Are Alive from the Sound of Music.  During her stay at Durgin Pines, Rita spontaneously broke out in song and would even entertain song requests from family, friends and staff members.

After their children had graduated from high school, Rita and Harry eventually made their home in Newtown, CT, where Rita took her first hot air balloon ride. She had an incredible green thumb and continued to garden, as well as enjoy the hillside and wildlife. By then she had become "Grandma Rita." She enjoyed regular trips to Meeker, CO, where she spent time with her son, Tim, and his family, including her three grandsons, whom she entertained with her wit and adventurous spirit. She also enjoyed visiting her son, Chris, and his family, including his two beautiful daughters, in Maine. After Rita's husband of 52 years passed away in 2005, Rita and Amy relocated to Kittery to be closer to Chris and his family. Melissa also relocated to Kittery a few years later.

Rita's greatest love was for her family. She will forever be remembered for her immense compassion for others, her sense of humor and adoring wit, her natural ease with children, her ice cream sodas, and tag sales. Rita adored her cat, Dudley who was her steadfast companion for many years.  Rita also had great joy when spending time with her grand-dog, Lucy.  Sadly, in the end, it was her heart that gave out, a heart that had held so much love for others.

Rita is survived by her daughter Melissa, of Kittery; son Christopher and his wife Shelly of Eliot; daughter Amy of Kittery; sister, Eileen of New Jersey; daughter-in-law, Diane of New Hampshire; and grandchildren Nathaniel, Shawna, Seth, Karissa, Jacob, Connor, Nicholas, and Brett.

She is predeceased by her husband Harry and her son Timothy.

Her family wishes to invite you to join them for a "Celebration of Remembrance" on Saturday, March 7th at the Shepard's Cove Clubhouse 100 Shepard's Cove Road

Kittery, Maine, between the hours of noon and 3:00 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served.