Rita E. Levesque

New Bedford, MA - Rita Elizabeth Joyce Levesque, 85, of New Bedford, MA, formerly of Portsmouth, RI died Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at St. Lukes Hospital, New Bedford, MA. Born in Lowell, MA on March 28, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Ida Lord Joyce.Rita was a devoted mother and grandmother whose greatest joy in life was time spent with her family and her most treasured were the holidays. She was an avid and loyal Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan who loved watching the games with her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards and was a member of a cribbage league for many years. Prior to her retirement, she worked at Raytheon in Northboro MA as a store keeper. She was a communicant of St. Barnabas Church, Portsmouth RI before moving to New Bedford.She is survived by her two daughters Jo-Ann Moore of New Bedford, MA, and Paula Younes, her son-in-law, Paul, her grandson Robert Keefer and her granddaughters Kaitlyn Younes and Sarah Younes, all of Chesapeake, VA, formerly of Portsmouth, RI. Rita leaves her devoted sister Claire Breton of Dracut, MA. and her extended family Jennifer Flores, Shawn Sweeney and his wife Catherine. She also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews.She was the sister of the late Thomas and Leo Joyce, Irene Joyce, Dorothy Urbowicz and Mildred Mello. Her funeral will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2011 from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth followed with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Barnabas Church, East Main Road, Portsmouth. Calling hours will be held on Saturday before her services from 9:30-10:30am in the funeral home. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Coastline Elderly Service, Inc of New Bedford MA or a local food bank in Ritas memory.Burial will be private.