Rita (née Doyon) Moriaty, 105, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, September 20, in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by the love of her family. 

Rita was born June 29, 1921 in Topsham, Maine, one of ten children of the late Arthur J. and Emma M. J. (Fournier) Doyon. Rita always felt blessed to be part of such a large, close-knit family. Their French-speaking family later moved across the other side of the swinging bridge to their home on Jordan Avenue in Brunswick, where Rita eventually learned to speak English largely thanks to the help of childhood friends. 

Rita cherished the memories of the “good ole days” in Maine with her family. …Strolling around the town bandstand on Saturday evenings; sitting on top of the shed with her siblings and cousins singing songs and sharing laughs; picking blueberries and selling them in town for a quarter, but always reserving enough for their mom to make blueberry pie; weeding their assigned rows of the garden; singing in the church choir; working in the mill; sledding down the hill by the railroad tracks; and so much more. Her mind and her memory were sharp right to the end. 

The Bible teaches to honor your father and mother, and even promises a long life. Rita did just that and lived to be 105. Her mother especially had a profound impact on Rita. She learned from her example the importance of faith, hard work, perseverance, and the value of keeping a home and caring for family. 

Rita met her future husband, Al (Albert) Moriaty, through family. For Al it was love at first sight, and he swooned after Rita for a bit before she too saw a future for the two of them together. Al was both handsome and romantic, but it was their shared faith that tipped the scales in his favor. Rita and Al married September 5, 1949 at Saint John the Baptist Church in Brunswick and became inseparable for a span of six decades. 

Rita and Al eventually made their home in Burlington, where they raised their three loving children: Anita, Thomas and Mary Ann. The two worked sometimes tirelessly together as a team to complete numerous projects around the house, which only strengthened their bond. For many years, Rita devoted herself to creating a warm and loving (meticulously clean) home for “her Al” and their three children. Whether preparing a favorite pork chop recipe for supper or baking whoopie pies or delicious chocolate chip cookies (a family favorite), she delighted in caring for those closest to her. 

Once Al retired, and they had become empty-nesters, the two made some memorable trips together, traveling to New York City, Hawaii and the Holy Land of Israel. Really though, it was life’s simple pleasures that they treasured the most — walking around the lake, gardening or sitting on their “love bench” under the stars to name a few. 

Rita found tremendous fulfillment in the beautiful life she and Al built together, which centered around their family that recently grew to include five generations! She embraced her role of caring daily for several of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren — a role that provided her with purpose and joy. She had an especially tender place in her heart for babies and children. She looked forward to rocking each new addition in the same rocking chair by the windows. And, she was happy to join in games - baseball, badminton, football on the beach or whatever — with her kids, grandchildren and even great grandchildren. 

A deeply devout Catholic, Rita's faith was an important and constant presence throughout her life. Her faith provided her with strength, comfort, and a foundation that guided her through the many seasons of her 105 years. Recently Rita fully surrendered her life to God and asked that He take her home. She passed peacefully on September 20, 2026. 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her dear daughter, Anita Louise Gustin, and her siblings, Louise Doyon, Maurice Doyon, Lucille Bernier, Frank (François) Doyon, Marcel (Joseph Louis) Doyon, Betty (Elizabeth) Oliver, Pete (Irenée) Doyon, Madeleine(-Therese) McEnany and Connie (Constance) Bushey. 

She is survived by her beloved children, Thomas Moriaty and his wife Mary Ellen of Lawrence, and Mary Ann Coyne and her husband Daniel of Burlington; 13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her funeral service on Monday, September 28th starting from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington at 9AM, followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM at St. Margaret’s Church of Saint Veronica’s Parish, 111 Winn Street, Burlington. Burial will follow in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, 5821 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210, or online at franciscanmissionaries.com . (in support of the priests and brothers who celebrate EWTN’s televised daily mass at Our Lady of the Angels church, which Rita watched/listened to every night)