Rita B. (Bard) Johnston

WORCESTER/HOLDEN - Rita B. (Bard) Johnston passed away on Monday, August 28, 2017, at St Mary Health Care Center after a brief illness.

Rita was predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Chester J. Johnston. She is survived by a daughter, Donna R. Johnston of Worcester; a son, James C. Johnston of Spencer; two grandchildren, James E. Johnston and Nicole M. Johnston; and two great-grandchildren. She will be terribly missed by Kathleen O’Connor and Thomas Ritacco of Worcester, Maria Zlody and Ryan Schain of Boston, and Sarah Zlody of Worcester and their extended family who loved her dearly. She leaves behind many friends in the community of Holden, St. Francis Episcopal Church, and Tatnuck Park Assisted Living.

Rita was born into a large family in Fort Kent, Maine, the daughter of Yvonne (DuBois) and Alphie A. Bard. She married Chester (Chet) Johnston, a handsome WWII veteran, July 6, 1948 after meeting him in a bowling alley in Presque Isle Maine. Together they moved to Massachusetts where they raised their two children, settling in Leicester and then Holden. Rita worked as a bookkeeper, owned a jewelry store with Chet, and helped raise two more children as a loving nanny. She was a skilled knitter and loved to make mittens and sweaters for almost every child she met as well as charitable organizations. Rita, along with Chet, were members of Worcester Light Opera Company. She loved to return to her home state of Maine to see her family and enjoy the beaches. She became an active member of St. Francis Episcopal Church where she volunteered for the Church Mouse Fair, participated in Bible studies, and knitted prayer shawls. Her St. Francis family was a great support to her, especially after the loss of her husband. Rita moved to Tatnuck Park Assisted Living this year where she made many new friends. She was known for her sense of humor, caring nature, and blunt attitude.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a memorial service honoring her life at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 1, at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 70 Highland Street (Rte. 31), Holden, followed by interment in the St. Francis Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. Francis Episcopal Church. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. To share a memory of Rita or offer her family a condolence, please visit our "guest book" on this page.