Rita A. Lahikainen

Rita A. (Robichaud) (Doiron) Lahikainen, 97, of Gardner, died Friday, August 18, 2023, at Alliance Health at Baldwinville, after a period of declining health.

Born in Caraouet, New Brunswick, Canada, on July 3, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Otho and Marie (Sivret) Robichaud. She earned her GED in 1969. Rita was a chair maker employed by National Reed Upholster Furniture Inc. of Gardner for 23 years, retiring in 1982.

Rita was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish of Gardner, practicing at its Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, where she was a member, and past president and secretary of its Ladies of Ste. Anne Society. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting. She selflessly volunteered for the Holy Family Academy Bazaar for decades. She also worked for the City of Gardner 2A Polls for several years where she served as the Deputy Clerk.

Rita is survived by a son, Victor E. Doiron of Gardner; a daughter, Jeanette A. Cormier of Rogersville, New Brunswick, Canada; a stepson, Dean Lahikainen of Salem, MA; a stepdaughter, Lois Pacocha of Lake Worth, FL; six Grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Ernest Doiron, who died on December 21, 1967; her second husband, Alpo H. Lahikainen, who died on April 26, 2001; her daughter, Diane Goodrich; two stepsons, Robert and Alan Lahikainen; and great-grandaughter, Melanie Caissie.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA 01440.

A Calling Hour will be held Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Holy Family Academy, 99 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Rita A. Lahikainen.