MARY RITA (BUTLER) RAYMOND
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mary Rita (Butler) Raymond, 78, died peacefully Aug. 10, 2005, at home, surrounded by her family. She was born Dec. 31, 1926, in Greenville, the daughter of Wallace and Laura (Baudrue) Sands. She was adopted at a young age by her great aunt, Clementine (Sands) and her husband, William Butler. Later on, Mary was raised by William and his second wife, Augusta (Zande) Butler, after Clementine's death. She was a graduate of Foxcroft Academy, Class of 1945, and a graduate of a beauty school in Portland. Mary took great pride in raising and caring for her family. When most of her children were grown, she worked at Hardwood Products of Guilford. Her passion was her painting. Her beautiful artwork has been purchased by many local residents and has been distributed by them worldwide. She enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting and tatting. Mary had a knack for growing violets and she had a love of gardening and the outdoors. All will remember her quick wit. She will be surely missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Wilford Raymond; her six children, Gary and wife, Pauline, of Farmington, Bruce and wife, Suzanne, of Dover-Foxcroft, Clarice R. Dunn and husband, Timothy, of Saco, Brian of Dover-Foxcroft, Larry and wife, Tammy, of Corinth, and Joseph and wife, Belinda, of Milo; 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; an aunt, Doris Dyer of Skowhegan; a sister, Muriel Brown of New Hampshire. She will be remembered by her best friend from "childhood to forever", Rita Knowland.

Friends are invited to call 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, 2005, at the Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Dover-Foxcroft, with Fr. James Robichaud, celebrant. Burial will be in the family lot in Gray Cemetery. "Some people walk in the rain...others just get wet." (Quote by Roger Miller) Mary loved to walk in the rain.