Rita C. (Belanger) Gaouette, 76, of New Bedford died Thursday January 19, 2006 unexpectedly at St. Luke's Hospital. She was the wife of Roland J. Gaouette, Jr.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late William and Loretta (Courtemanche) Belanger, she lived in New Bedford all her life.
She was a communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church.
Mrs. Gaouette was formerly employed as a special needs teacher's aide at the Campbell School in New Bedford.
She was a graduate of New Bedford High School and Salve Regina College. She was a member of the first graduating class in 1951 and was actively involved in the planning for the upcoming 55th Class reunion at Salve in June 2006.
Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Denise Machado and her husband James of New Bedford; three sons, William Gaouette and his wife Barbara of Holton, Maine; Robert Gaouette, of East Freetown; and Douglas Gaouette, of Dorchester, a brother-in-law, Raymond Gamache,of New Bedford, 16 grandchildren, a great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the mother of the late Gary M. Gaouette, grandmother of the late James D. Gaouette, and sister of the late Amy Gamache.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Saturday January 21, 2006 at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Church at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Friday January 21, 2006 from 4-8 PM. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Schwartz Center for Children, 374 Rockdale Ave., New Bedford, MA 02740 or the Salve Regina Pioneer Class Scholarship Fund, Ochre Point Ave., Newport, RI 02840.