Obituary of Rita E. Luce

It is with profound sadness that the family of Rita Luce announces her passing. Rita passed away peacefully on March 21, 2025, with family by her side. Rita (Carleton) Luce was born on March 21, 1940, in Marlow, New Hampshire. She married Robert Luce when she was 19 and they were married for 60 years. After many years of vacationing in Maine, the family made a permanent move to Maine in 1972.

Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Rita loved her. She had a special warmth and kindness that was felt by everyone around her. She was happiest when surrounded by her family and her greatest joy was being a mother and grandmother. Rita truly made this world a better and brighter place.

Rita was predeceased by her husband Robert Luce, her son Robert Luce Jr., her daughter Kathy Gomm, her brother-in-law Forrest Jr. Smith, and her brother Oren Carleton.

She is survived by her sister Marie Carleton Smith, her brother William Carleton and his wife Mary Ann, her daughter Renee Gomm, son Brian Luce, daughter Wendy Kennedy and her husband Keith, and her son Kevin Luce and his wife Janet. She was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. She also had a special place in her heart for Lynn Gacesa and Cathy Castner. 

Rita leaves behind a legacy of kindness and joy. Family and friends are invited to join a graveside memorial service to celebrate a life well-lived and a woman well-loved at Clewleyville Cemetery in Holden, Maine later in the spring. The service will be followed by a gathering for refreshments. Details of the time and location will be announced at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Northern Light Health Cancer Center c/o Northern Light Health Foundation. PO Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402 or at northernlighthealth.org. Messages and memories may be shared with her family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.