CASCO — Rita Marie Bernard, 91, of Casco and formerly of Westbrook, died peacefully at Country Village Assisted Living in Casco, where she resided since March of 2006.

She was born and raised in Westbrook and was the oldest of eight children born to Rudolphe and Elizabeth Lemieux on May 20, 1920. She lived in Westbrook until she and her husband retired to Watchic Lake in Standish. They wintered in Pinellas Park, Fla., and summered at Indian Point, Raymond.
Mrs. Bernard worked at Dana Warp Mill and S.D. Warren during her working career.

She was beloved for her cooking, especially her salmon pies and whoopee pies. She loved crafts, especially knitting, playing the organ and bingo.
She shared 58 years of marriage with the late Albert J. Bernard.

Family members include a daughter, Peggy Wolf; a son, Daniel Bernard; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters, Alice Jacobsen, Louise Spencer and Bernadette Wahle.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by sisters, Jeanette Poirier, Edna Newton and Dot Jurgensen; and a brother, Norman Lemieux.

A graveside service will be held in the Bay Pines Veterans Cemetery in Florida in March of 2012. Dolby Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.