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Obituary for Rita Helen Plumb
Saint Albans - Rita Helen Plumb, 58, passed away Wednesday April 1st, 2020. Rita was born on September 22, 1961, to Elizabeth Goodell and Richard Plumb in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Rita graduated from Springfield High School in 1980, then went on to be the first one in her family to achieve higher education. While working 3 jobs, she paved her own way at Champlain College studying early childhood education, then went on to open her own childcare center that she ran successfully for many years.
When Rita became more and more fatigued with her severe rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, she was forced to slow down. While slowing down was necessary for her body, being idle made her anxiety and depression difficult to bear. For the last few years of her life, Care Partners adult day center was a bright light for Rita. They were able to take care of her during times when her family and friends could not. She truly adored the time she spent there with friends and staff, crafting and creating art, learning new things, and connecting with others. Rita's time there kept her active and made her feel part of something important. Her family is forever grateful for everyone at Care Partners for the joy they were able to bring her.
Rita had a way with people that is hard to put into words. She saw only the best in others, even when she could not see it in herself. She had a way of making people feel comfortable and like they could and should always be their true selves, unapologetically. She accepted everyone for who they were without question.
Rita spent her life taking care of others. This ranged from bunnies and kittens (and many more critters of all kinds), to children and people with developmental disabilities. Anyone that knew Rita knew that they could reach out to her at any time and she would be there. If there were ever sick or injured pets (or even wild animals) they knew that they could call her at any time, day or night and she would not hesitate to jump in her car and come help.
She was a woman who wore many hats and wore them all well. The impact that she had on those that she kept under her wing, will not be forgotten.
Rita battled many demons for most of her life, and she fought them until the very end. Her family asks that everyone remember to take mental health seriously. We must end the stigma that surrounds mental health issues. If you are suffering, there is help out there and seeking it makes you courageous, not weak. Be kind to each other always, but please don’t forget to always be kind to yourself.
Rita is predeceased by her grandparents, as well as her brother, Richard Plumb Jr.
Rita is survived by her two daughters, Melissa Bacon and Matilda Plumb, her parents Richard Plumb Sr. and Elizabeth Goodell Plumb, sister Ramona McCormack, brother Russell Plumb, her “sisters of the heart”- Stacey Steady, Autumn Boutin, and Cathi Stone Ruh, nieces Brittanny Barrows, Emily Sherwin, Katie Moreau and Sadie Hemingway, nephews Richard Plumb, Ryan McCormack and Glen Plumb, great-nephews Cameron, Cayde, and Bradlee, great-niece Kiley, daughter of the heart, Jane Woodard and grand-daughters Tonya Searles, Julia and Amelia. Rita also leaves behind many other special people, Pat Katon, Shane Robtoy Sr., Harold and Bilijean Smith, Marie, Danielle, and Laura along with many others.
Given the current restrictions on gathering, Rita's family is hoping to do a celebration of life on her birthday, September 22, 2020, and will provide more information at a later date.
As Aristotle Onassis said, “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to find the light”.
To send Rita’s family a message of condolence or share a memory, kindly go to her online guestbook at www.healdfuneralhome.com.
