Mary Rita Paine, 98, of Fort Wayne, IN, and formerly of Huntington, IN, passed away on July 21, 2017, at her daughter’s residence.
Mrs. Paine was born May 21, 1919 in Peru, IN. She was the daughter of the late John Patrick and Mary Ann (Coty) Gallagher.
She graduated from Huntington Catholic High School as salutatorian of her class. She earned her degree from International Business College in one half the designated time. During WWII, she worked as a private secretary for the vice president of General Tire during their Wabash facility’s massive transition to wartime production for the military. She later served as secretary to the principal of St. Mary Elementary School in Huntington for seventeen years, she retired in 1984.
Mrs. Paine married Richard J. Paine on May 3, 1947, and they celebrated 69 years of marriage before his passing on June 20, 2016.
Mrs. Paine was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Fort Wayne, IN; and a former member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntington, IN. She was also a member of Daughters of Isabelle and an officer of the Rosary Sodality.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary Helen (James) LaMarca, Fort Wayne, IN; four grandchildren, Erin Brock, Vince (Jennifer) LaMarca, Brian LaMarca, Renee LaMarca; and 6 great-grandsons.
Along with her parents and husband she was preceded in death by two sisters, Rosalyn (Carl) Trook, and Dorothy Gallagher.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 10700 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 10700 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804, with Fr. Dave Voors presiding.
Burial will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Huntington, IN.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Masses, or American Heart Association in care of McElhaney-Hart Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN.
McElhaney-Hart Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, IN is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences: www.mcelhaneyhartfuneralhome. com