Rita Marie (Caron) Poirier, 84, died peacefully Sunday, September 17, 2006, at VNA Hospice Residence on Coes Pond after a short illness, with her loving family by her side.  She leaves her husband of 57 years, Gerard E. Poirier; her five children, Cheryl Poirier-Goguen and Dr. Stephen G. Poirier, both of Holden, Deborah Poirier-Dunkelberger of Bishop, CA, Christine Massucco of Worcester, and John Poirier of Millbury; nine grandchildren, Jackson, Amber, Michelle, Jason, Andrew, Dylan, Jennifer, William, and Liam.  She also leaves her sister, Blanche Hallen of western Mass.  She was predeceased by her brother, Paul Caron of Millbury.

She was born in Worcester, daughter of Leo and Bertha (Guerin) Caron and lived in Worcester for many years. She was a graduate of Millbury High School, Boston Conservatory of Music, and served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II at the rank of Specialist 3C. After her children were grown, she worked at State Mutual Insurance Co. Rita was active at Our Lady of the Rosary Church and sang in the choir for many years. She was a Girl Scout leader in Worcester and a member of the Greendale Women's Bowling League for over 40 years.  An avid gardener, world traveler and lover of life, she traveled around the U.S. and Canada with her husband as members of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club.  She especially enjoyed vacationing at Cape Cod every summer with friends and family.  Rita will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 21, from Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, with a 10:00 Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary, 25 Fales Street.  Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.  Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Nordgren Memorial Chapel from 4-7 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VNA Care Network, (Coes Pond), 120 Thomas St., Worcester MA 01608-1280.