SANFORD — Rita Farrell Desilets, 90, of Sanford, passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2011, at the Greenwood Center.

She was born in Sanford on Aug. 4, 1920, the daughter of the late Bernard and Delia (Dichard) Farrell. Rita attended Mount Merici Academy in Waterville and graduated from Sanford High School in 1937.

She was an active and lifelong communicant of St. Ignatius Church. She was also instrumental in organizing the annual Penny Sale for the parish. She was one of the first women to work on bridge cranes at the South Portland Shipyard during the war. When she retired she was employed as a mender for the former Goodall Mills.

Rita was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Paul E. Desilets in 1992.

She is survived by her son Bernard of Fryeburg; her daughter, Suzanne Matthews of Sanford; and four grandchildren.

Visiting hours were on Wednesday at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church in Springvale. Burial will be at St. Ignatius Cemetery, Sanford. Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com