Shelburne, Vermont -- Rita Donahue Plante, 89, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 3 at her residence in the Shelburne Bay Senior Community in the company of a number of her children and their spouses. Rita was born July 9, 1922 in Elmira, New York, the daughter of Howard E. and Anna O. Donahue. She was predeceased by her younger brother, Edward "Bud" Donahue of Elmira and her husband, Peter P. Plante.

Rita attended schools in Elmira and during the Depression spent summers on her relatives' farm in Livingston Manor where she helped with haying and chores. During those summers she also gained a life-long appreciation for music and the arts from her Aunt Kate. After completing high school, Rita worked as a photographer for the Elmira Star Gazette and took post-graduate courses prior to enrolling at Elmira College. Rita was graduated from Elmira College with a Bachelor of Science degree.

During her junior year in college, she and most of her women classmates attended their prom with blind dates, the majority of whom were World War II Army personnel stationed in the region. Rita's date was Peter Plante who was assigned to Pine Camp, NY interrogating Italian POWs and completing his studies of Italian. After Rita's graduation, she secured a position in the State Health Department Laboratory in Albany, NY. She returned to Elmira a year later to work as a lab technician at the Arnot Ogden Hospital. Rita and Peter were married in Elmira on September 4, 1948. They moved to Detroit, MI where Peter completed his final year of law school at the University of Detroit and Rita worked at the Henry Ford Hospital.

In 1949 Rita began her life as a Vermonter. She and Peter moved to Newport where their first three children were born. The family moved to Hartford, VT in 1953 and then Norwich in 1954 when Peter went to work for Judge Henry Black, a prominent Vermont attorney.

Rita made time to knit, sew, read avidly, play the piano, nurture her Catholic faith and introduce her children to these activities. She guided her growing family to understand the importance of Church, education, and community service as well as ensuring everyone did their share by helping with family chores.

Yet, there were never too many people around her table. The preparation and sharing of food was important to Rita. She baked and made soup for holiday baskets for people who otherwise would go without. Rita's pea soup was an annual sell-out item at the Norwich Fair. She enjoyed entertaining friends and celebrating family occasions. Rita established family food traditions for St. Nicholas Day, Easter, Christmas, and the numerous birthdays that the family celebrated.

Rita's manner was that of a gentle and compassionate person. She also enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family, friends and acquaintances. She was a committed volunteer during the 50 years she lived in Norwich and Wilder. She worked on the Norwich Women's Club Nearly New Sale scholarship fundraisers and served on the Senior Action Council during Norwich's development of housing for elders. She complemented her love of reading with volunteering at the Marion Cross and Dothan Brook Elementary School libraries as well as the Norwich Public Library. Rita taught catechism classes at St. Francis of Assisi Church and later developed a lunchtime program at her home for the youngest students. She became a Eucharistic Minister affiliated with St. Anthony's Church in White River Junction.

A vigilant caregiver for her husband Peter after his stroke in 1988, she faced each crisis with resolution and adapted, including obtaining her driver's license at age 69. She never succumbed to the idea of spending her time shuttling her children around. Instead, she encouraged them to walk, ride with friends, take the bus or a taxi when necessary.

Rita moved to Shelburne Bay Senior Living Community in December 2004. The family is grateful for the loving care, assistance and support that she received from her caregivers at The Shores and the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties Hospice Team.

Rita is survived by four sons, Anthony Plante and his wife Marybeth of Hooksett, NH, Thaddeus Plante of Washington, DC, Stephen Plante and his wife Stacey of Winchester, VA and Robert Plante and his wife Erin of Mountain Lakes, NJ; seven daughters, Maryanna Plante and her husband Daniel Stein of North Ferrisburg, VT, Therese Plant and her husband Michael Mauck of Nashville, TN, Maura Plante and her husband Michael Romanovitch of Florence, MA, Christina Wood of Antioch, TN, Margaret Plante and her husband Jim Cottrell of Charlotte, VT, Jeanne Plante of Mapleville, RI, and Kathleen Plante and her husband Paul Esswein of Carson City, NV.

Visiting hours are Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Knight Funeral Home, 903 Hartford Avenue, White River Junction, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony's Church, 15 Church Street, White River Junction, Vermont. The Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., VT has been entrusted with arrangements.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hunger Free Vermont (formerly Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger) 38 Eastwood Drive, Suite 100, South Burlington, VT 05403. www.hungerfreevt.org.