Rita MacDougall DesRoches

Rita MacDougall DesRoches, 93, a longtime resident of Bethesda, Md passed away on Friday, June 14th at the Crofton Care and Rehabilitation Center following hip surgery and a long battle with dementia. To the end, she retained her loving nature and wonderful sense of humor. She was born in Rumford, ME in 1920 to William and Katherine MacDougall, one of seven children. Her mother died when she was twelve years old, and Rita helped to raise her younger siblings. She remained the consummate caregiver the rest of her life. Rita was one of the most popular and well-liked girls in her graduating class at Stephens High School. During the years she lived in Rumford, Rita worked for her uncle, Dr. Jim MacDougall and also for the Oxford Paper Company. She married Irving A. DesRoches in June 1941. Before World War II, they lived in Rumford where their son, Greg, was born. They subsequently lived in Medford, MA and Plattsburgh, NY prior to settling in Bethesda, MD in 1960. There they raised three of their children, Patty, Barry, and Tim. Rita was married for 56 years before Irving died in March 1998. She remained in the family home on Marion Lane in Bethesda for 52 years prior to moving to Somerford Place in Columbia, MD last year. She is survived by her four children, Gregory DesRoches (Liane) of Columbia, MD, Patricia Broullire (Michael) of Bethesda, MD, Barry DesRoches (Lisa) of Crofton, MD, and Timothy DesRoches (Magdalena) of Lodz, Poland, nine grandchildren, and her sister, Barbara Houck, of Olney, MD. Rita was a devoted mother and grandmother, a devout Catholic and a Communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Bethesda, MD. She enjoyed winters in Florida and summer visits to Maine, worked hard at successfully keeping a pristine house, and was a wonderful cook. Rita was fiercely independent, honest and of the highest integrity. She was ever humble, ever faithful, and ever ready with a good quip that made everyone laugh. She spent a lifetime putting others before herself and set a wonderful example for all. Mostly, Rita loved her family and was adored by her children and grandchildren and loved by all who knew her.