Cover photo for Rita May Howard's Obituary
Rita May Howard Profile Photo
1938 Rita 2021

Rita May Howard

August 27, 1938 — September 10, 2021

Machias and Dennysville – Rita May Howard, 83, passed away surround by family on Friday, September 10, 2021, at her home in Machias. Rita was born in Dennysville on August 27, 1938, daughter of Carroll and Nettie (Kelley) Kilby.

After graduating from Dennysville High School, Class of 1956, she married James E. Howard. Rita worked as a sardine packer in Eastport and Lubec, and later became a cook for area restaurants and Calais Regional Hospital. She was a member of Dennysville Congregational Church. Rita loved tending to her flower gardens and enjoyed knitting and most recently keeping in touch with family and friends on her tablet.

In addition to her parents, Rita was predeceased by her beloved husband James; and her sister Elizabeth Kinney. Surviving are her children, a daughter Mary Sawlivich of Danvers, MA; sons Carroll Howard and wife Susan of Epping, NH, James Howard and wife Lynn of Meddybemps, and Scott Howard and wife Donna of Newton Junction, NH; five grandchildren, Mitchell and Daniel Sawlivich, Jeffrey Jardine, Heather Hamilton and Jenny Thornton; five great-grandchildren; brother Leroy Kilby and wife Jennie of Edmunds Twp; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, October 2, 2021 at the Dennysville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s memory may be made to Community Health & Counseling Services, 15 Kids Corner, Machias, ME 04654. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais and Eastport.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rita May Howard, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 18

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree