Rita Howard

St. Johnsbury, VT: Rita S. Howard, age 96, formerly of Portland Street, passed away peacefully at her daughter, Teala’s, home on Saturday morning, December 16, 2017.

Rita was born on July 9, 1921, in Waterford, VT, daughter to the late Robert John and Pansy Pearl (Newland) Stuart. She was raised and educated in Waterford and has lived in the area all her life.  She was the widow of Chester Howard who passed in 1969 after 30 years of marriage.  Rita worked at various department stores and then was employed with Maple Grove for over 15 years in the packaging department. She ‘retired’ from Maple Grove when she was 85 years old!

She enjoyed traveling, overcoming her dislike of water to take a cruise with her son and daughter-in-law, flying for the first time in her later years by herself, and getting to see Merle Haggard in concert. She also enjoyed playing cards and spending time with family leaving her family with fond memories of many of those games.  In her younger years, Rita could be found at area barn dances on weekends.  Chet played in a band so Rita would collect tickets.  She continued to enjoy music and dancing for the rest of her life.

Rita is survived by her 3 sons: Chester Howard and wife, Lynn, of WA, Ron Howard and wife, Maybelle, of NH, and Terry Howard and wife, Rachel, of FL; a daughter: Teala Hooker and husband, Leslie, of VT; a sister: Ruth LaPoint of VT; a brother: Russel Stuart and wife, Edna, of VT; a sister-in-law: June Stuart of VT; 12 grandchildren; many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband: Chet Howard; her daughter: Wanda Langmaid; 2 granddaughters: Robin Howard and Theresa Mathers; a great-granddaughter, Theresa’s daughter: Kirsten; her parents: Robert and Pansy Stuart; 2 brothers: Richard and Robert Stuart; and her close friend: Ken Danforth.

Funeral Services will be held in the spring on May 30, 2018 at 6pm at the Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury.  Burial will take place May 31, 2018 at 10am at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in St. Johnsbury, VT.

Calling hours will also be in the spring on May 30, 2018, 4-6pm at the Sayles Funeral Home.

Memorial Donations may be made to either the Caledonia Home Health & Hospice, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, or to the Food Shelf of your choice.

The family would like anyone who wishes to share photos for a memorial video tribute to upload the pictures to https://www.tributeslides.com/up/281925742203.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.saylesfh.com.