Rita Oliver Palardy Obituary

Mrs. Rita Marion (Oliver) Palardy, 90, of Albany, died Feb 19, 2009 at Palmyra Medical Center. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00AM Monday, Feb 23, 2009 at St. Teresa's Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus 4th Degree will serve as pallbearers. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery where she will be buried next to her beloved husband, Leo, who predeceased her in 1968. Family and friends will then gather at the Knights of Columbus Hall. A native of Burlington, VT, Rita was born on April 3, 1918. Her adoptive parents were French/Canadian dairy farmers from Essex Junction, VT. Her education took place at a Catholic school where she was taught English and French which she could speak and write fluently throughout her life. As the family legend goes, she was introduced by mutual friend to her future husband, Leo J. Palardy, who said, "That's the woman I'm going to marry" and wed, they did, on the 3rd of September 1940. It was a perfect match. Leo was from New Bedford, MA, was of French Canadian heritage, was Roman Catholic by faith and spoke French fluently. After Leo's military service, they moved to Albany GA in September 1947. Here, they found solace at St. Teresa's Catholic Church, which was then located on Residence Avenue. Leo and Rita built a home life in Albany and begun raising their five children-four boys and one girl. She was devoted to her family friends and faith. She was always there for all of them. Rita served her church and community as a member of St. Teresa's Alter Guild and the Craft Group and was a volunteer of RSVP. She is survived by her children: Lionel J. Palardy and his children Michele and Douglas: Dennis A. Palardy (wife Glenda) and his son Dana Palardy (wife Connor): David L. Palardy (wife Linda) and their children Brooke and Adam; Janet P. Haviland (husband Gene) and their children Rebecca and Erin Brewer; and Michael Palardy and his children Jenny Reynolds (and one great granddaughter Ashley), Josh, Mathew and Michele. The family would like to thank all mom's friends from St. Teresa's Church, the staff at Palmyra Medical Center, and all the family and friends such as the Fondrens and Ciesienskys who helped us through the last few years. Those desiring may make contributions to the Knights of Columbus or the St. Teresa's Church Building Fund.

Rita Oliver Palardy Obituary

April 3, 1918 - February 19, 2009