Rita A. (King) (Lyons) Savage

Rita A. (King) (Lyons) Savage, a long time resident of Berlin and Randolph, NH passed away in Saco, Maine near her sons home on Sunday May 31 from cancer at the age of 84. Rita is predeceased by her first husband Patrick J. Lyons, her second husband J. Robert Savage her sister Ramona Goulet, her brother Sonny Bob King, her parents Edward and Lydia King, brother-in-law Clifford Lyons, mother and father-in-law Rose and Wesley Parpart and close friends Dottie Goldberg, Anne Johnson and Betty Drew. Rita was cherished by many, including her daughter Kathy Lyons and husband David Frankel of Orono, Maine; her son John Lyons and wife Rachelle of Saco, Maine; her grandchildren Benjamin and Samuel Lyons and Rebekah Frankel; her sisters and brothers and their families; Claire Paine, Marie Landry, Russell King and Ronnie King of Berlin, NH and Carol Marcel of Tacoma, Washington, her sister in law Helen Roy and her family of Berlin, NH; her Wisconsin in-laws Tess Punzel, Gerome Lyons, Rose Witczak and their families, her step children Jonathan Savage of California and Barbara Jo Savage of South Carolina, her quilting family including Kathleen Garneau, Lena Parent and Sally Micucci, her Theatre North family (too many to name), many good friends, including Doreen Piper, Ed Drew, Ed Reichert, Lucy and Bill Demers and many more of the Berlin, Gorham and Randolph, NH area. Rita was born in Berlin, NH on October 19, 1930. She graduated from Berlin High School in 1948 and went on to earn an associates degree from the UNH Continuing Studies Program in 1977. She worked at Montgomery Ward as a stock room clerk 1949-1952 and as credit manager 1960-1970, at the S&H green stamp store in Berlin 1970-1974, for Berlin Public Schools 1974-1978 as a secretary, and at Coos County Family Health Services in Berlin 1978-1988 as a bookkeeper and billing clerk. She served in the US Navy 1952-1956 as a Yeoman 2nd class working as a clerk and typist in the personnel administration office. Rita enjoyed quilting and helping others learn to make their own. She won awards for quilts she entered in fairs and events. Cherished are the many quilts she gifted to family and friends. She enjoyed both flower and vegetable gardening. She was an active member of Theater North directing many performances and serving on the Board as well as working with costumes, acting as stage manager and performing in a few plays. She is not only an artist of quilts but has done many paintings and ceramics. When her first husband Patrick Lyons died tragically on a Navy aircraft carrier in 1960, with strength and courage she provided a loving home for her two children. She kept in close contact with the Lyons family including many summer visits so that her children would know their Dads relatives. Eleven years later she found companionship and love again when marrying Robert Savage. Rita lovingly cared for Bob as he succumbed to Alzheimers disease. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday June 5, 2015 at 10 AM at Holy Family Church in Gorham. Interment will be in the Randolph Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. The Bryant Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.