Sturbridge/Southbridge: Rita A. (Therrien) Poirier, 90, of Brookside at Eddie Pond, Auburn, formerly of Sturbridge and Southbridge, passed away on Friday, Aug. 5 ^th , in the Rose Monahan Hospice Home, Worcester, after a long illness.

Her husband of 60 years, Leo L. Poirier, passed away in 2012.  She leaves her two sons, Lucien Poirier and his wife Jalaine of Clearwater, FL, and Robert Poirier and his wife Carol of Woodstock; her three daughters, Pauline Morrill and her husband Stephen of  Southbridge, Yvonne Westlake and her husband John of Coventry, CT and Yvette Davis of Putnam, CT,  two brothers, Norman Therrien of North Grosvenordale, CT and Paul Therrien of Surprise, AZ;  her 10 grandchildren, Jessica Pimentel, Lucien Presnell and  his wife Megan, Joshua Poirier, Jonathan Poirier and his wife Michelle, Nicholas Emery and his wife Allison, Ian Morrill and his wife Justine, Brendan Morrill and his wife Rebecca, Sean Lamoureux, Casey Davis and Ryan Davis; 28 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren;  and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Ann Marie Poirier, in 1960.  She was also predeceased by four brothers, Gerard "Jerry" Therrien, Raymond Therrien, Roger Therrien and George Therrien and her sister, Therese Oloff.  Rita was born in North Grosvenordale, CT the daughter of Joseph and Alberta (Houle) Therrien.

Rita enjoyed spending time with her children, grand children and great children.  She loved taking drives, chicken tenders and hot chocolate.

She worked at the American Optical Co. in Southbridge, she also worked as an assistant manager at the former Fair Department Store in Southbridge for many years, before retiring.  Rita was a longtime member of Notre Dame Parish in Southbridge, the  Ladies of St. Anne's Sodality,  and the Red Hats.  Rita enjoyed going to the Senior Center, playing bingo, crocheting and doing word puzzles.  While a resident at Eddie Pond she enjoyed doing arts and crafts and made new friends, where everyone loved her.

Her funeral will be held on Thursday, Aug. 11 ^th , from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 11:00am in Notre Dame Church of the St. John Paul II Parish, 446 Main St., Southbridge.  Burial will follow in New Notre Dame Cemetery, Southbridge.  Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 10 ^th , from 6:00 to 8:00pm.