Harmony – Rita Ann Lewis, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Woodlands Memory Care of Madison with family by her side. Rita was born in Cambridge on April 5th, 1937, daughter to Erald and Elizabeth (Ham) Bailey. She attended elementary and middle school in a one room schoolhouse in Cambridge, graduating from Skowhegan Area High School in 1955.
Rita worked as a factory worker throughout her life in many different manufacturing roles. She loved to play cards and go to the Unity Raceway on Saturday nights. She loved children and always opened her door to the neighborhood. Her family was her greatest pride and loved to spend her time with them, any type of family gathering, cooking Sunday dinners, holidays, and beyond. The time together watching her grandchildren would always bring joy to her life. Rita was a strong, fun-loving, and feisty woman who raised her six kids with all her heart. In later years Agnes and Rita spent a lot of time together riding around the backroads.
She was predeceased by both her parents and siblings Duane Bailey, Elwin Bailey, Agnes Grant, and infant sister Mary Bailey.
Rita is survived by children, Wanda Chadbourne with husband Tim, Kevin Lewis with wife Margie, Daniel Lewis; Douglas Lewis with wife Joanne, Pamela Spaulding with husband Brian, and Kimberly Chadbourne with husband Robert; siblings, Beatrice Reall, Nancy Conners, Charlotte Stajenda, and Dennis Bailey; as well as her many cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Graveside service will be held on May 11th, 2024, at 11:00am, at the East Ridge Cemetery in Cornville. A celebration of life will immediately follow at Tewksbury Hall, 13 Island Ave., in Skowhegan.
Rita's family would like to give special thanks to Androscoggin Hospice, Cheryl Ricker in Harmony, and Dr. Lambke, for the exceptional care of our mother.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Harmony Fire Department, 34 Cambridge Rd, Harmony, Maine, 04942.