CHAREST, Marie Rita Elmire
1921 - 2012 (90 years)-
Name CHAREST, Marie Rita Elmire Nickname Rita Born 21 Sept 1921 Pawtucket, Rhode Island 
- In March 1956, Rita was living at 188 Cottage Street, Woonsocket, Rhode Island. She was already married and carrying the name Danese.
Source: Security questionnaire of Rosaire Adele Charest, dated 16 March 1956
Gender Female Baptism (Non-LDS) 21 Sept 1921 St John the Baptist, Pawtucket, Rhode Island Baptized by Rev Lionel Dion, Sponsors Moise Frenchette and Elmire Baillargeon Address:
Pawtucket, Rhode IslandDied 18 May 2012 Laguna Woods Village, California - Obituary from Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home, Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Rita M. Danese, nee Charest, wife of pre-deceased John B. Danese, died during the early morning at 12:15 AM on May 18, 2012, in Laguna Woods, CA. Born in Pawtucket, she was the daughter of the late Alphonse and Emilie (Frechette) Charest.
She is survived by her son Roger J. Forbes who will miss the enthusiasm she felt at designing quality quilts, machine sewn at home, two brothers Louis George and Rosaire Charest, four sisters Therese Gaunt, Lucille Duclos, Claire Forand, and Noella Papagno; and many nieces and nephews who loved her in life for being kindhearted. She was also the sister of the late Armand Charest and Marguerite Volpe.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 10:00 AM in All Saints Church, Rathbun St. Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery in Bellingham.
Buried Saint Jean-Baptiste Catholic Cemetery, Bellingham, Massachusetts Person ID I6 Charest Genealogy Last Modified 27 Nov 2021
Father CHAREST, Ildephonse, b. 19 Mar 1891, Upton, Quebec, Canada , d. 20 Jan 1945, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (Age 53 years) Relationship Birth Mother FRECHETTE, Emelie, b. 22 Nov 1889, St. Didace, Quebec, Canada , d. 3 Jun 1957, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (Age 67 years) Relationship Birth Married 4 Oct 1916 Joliette, Quebec, Canada Documents 
Genealogy of the Charest Family
A detailed genealogy of the Charest family, as researched by Roger Forbes. Much of his source information comes from French-language documents maintained at the French-American Association, Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Summary of Deceased Family Members
A summary of birth and death dates of members of the extended Charest family, descendents of Ildephonse Charest and Emily Frenchette. This document was developed as a collaboration between Roger Forbes and Pauline (Hurteau) Watson. As Pauline wrote:
"This is a project that was undertaken because one of my nephews wanted to know when some of our relatives passed away. I thought it was a very important and necessary project to do and Roger offered to help locate some of the dates. This project was very hard to do and brought back many, many memories. It was done with lots of love and many tears."
This document should be considered a primary source reference for the dates shown.
Wedding Announcement of Ildephonse Charest
A French-language newspaper clipping announcing the marriage of Ildephonse Charest. This appears to have been published some time after the actual wedding, as the wedding was in Joliette, Canada, and this article appears to be written in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Machine translation summary:
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Headline: Sixty-nine at the wedding supper at Mr. Charest's house
Article Summary: A large automobile procession took place. Sixty-nine people attended the celebration at Mr. Athanase Charest's home on Nash Road, not counting children. Mr. Ildefonse Charest, married in Joliette, immediately left for New Bedford, while his brother Armandius was married the next day. They will travel to Fall River, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Brockton, Taunton, New Bedford, Joliette, and Quebec. Mr. and Mrs. Armandius Charest will return to Brockton, and Mr. and Mrs. Ildefonse Charest will live in Quebec.
Gift List: A list of gifts offered to Mr. and Mrs. Ildefonse Charest and Mr. and Mrs. Armandius Charest is provided, including clocks, linens, silverware, and various household items from numerous donors. A separate list of gifts for Mr. and Mrs. Ildefonse Charest is also included.
Letter From Ildephonse Charest to Emelie Frechette
This image is a photograph of a handwritten letter in French from Ildephonse (Alphonse) Charest to his future wife Emelie Frechette. This letter date only includes a month and day, but as they were married 4 Oct 1916 the year of this letter is probably 1916. A line in this letter appears to indicate they were setting their wedding date.
Note 1: The closing line of
- St-Remi [de] Tingwick -
Probably refers to Saint-Remi-de-Tingwick, which is a municipality located in the Centre-du-Qu?bec region of Quebec, Canada. This may have been Ildephonse's location when writing this letter.
Machine (AI) Translation
Page 1
Quebec July 29
To Mademoiselle Emelie Fr?chette
Miss and Dear [?]
A few words to give you news of me which are very good thank God thank you.
And at the same time
I must ask you for forgiveness for all the faults that I have committed by not having been faithful to my promises.
Page 2
But you know, you know that I have a good heart and I admit every day I already have a few mayors in my heart
Every time I fancifully, I tell myself that I must write us back and you, sincerely, give me the gift, and if you give me the gift, I want to become married. Even though I love him, he is still very much in love even though we are not married
It is time to do what we should have done instead of this. I have said
In Borbes, a gray figure that mo
Page 3
...must that you are still faithful and he must come to your house to give you my news.
I am the second cook on the St. Ireneo and I have a salary of $50.00 a month. I should have enough to get married as soon as I finish my time at sea.
But as I told you, if you want, you will be my wife.
I promise you, because God will not allow me to forget you; I must do his will.
Page 4
aussistat that I have finished, be sure, be and cheese from October or at November, serve, I have a fork. Fork goes to Bedford, it has and returned to Grand Cere. I have a big commitment for the winter while the guarded one, solve the problem, I want you to receive from your news soon what I gave you, I regret to you, the washhouse will remain if you and farsee flous nois fable what yours
Page 5
Keep the [money/envelope] sent for the month as you would like.
I believe that is all for tonight from your friend.
I hope so, Alphonse Charest.
Cuisinier [Cook], St-Remi [de] Tingwick, Louise Richer [?], Quebec.Photos 
The Charest Family, Descendants of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest
A family photograph of all nine children of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest. Taken during a family reunion in the early 1980s. This was the last time all nine children were together, as Margaret would pass several years later.
From Left to right, top row:
Rita, Noella, George, Lucille, Margaret
Second Row:
Clair, Joe, Armand, Theresa
Ildephonse Charest and Emilie Frechette
Ildephonse Charest and Emilie Frechette, unknown year taken. Possibly another photo taken on their wedding day.
Wedding Photo of Claire Charest and Leo Forand
Wedding photo of the Charest family at the wedding of Claire Charest and Leo Forand. From left to right:
Louis George Charest, __, __, __, __, __, __, __ .Family ID F1 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 1 SIMONEAU, Edmond Romulus Married - Edmond Romulus Simoneau ("Romulus") and Marie Rita Elmire Charest were never married. They did have a son, Joseph Roger Jean Forbes, but Romulus never accepted emotional or financial responsibility as the father.
Children 1. FORBES, Joseph Roger Jean, b. 16 Jue 1941, Woonsocket, Rhode Island , d. 7 Mar 2026, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (Age 85 years)Last Modified 20 Mar 2026 Family ID F104 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 2 FORBES, Richard Divorced 24 Sept 1946 Woonsocket, Rhode Island Children 1. FORBES, Joseph Roger Jean, b. 16 Jue 1941, Woonsocket, Rhode Island , d. 7 Mar 2026, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (Age 85 years) [Birth]Photos 
Rita (Danese) Charest and Roger Forbes
Rita (Danese) Charest and her son Roger Forbes. Most likely taken in late 1960s to early 1970sLast Modified 24 Apr 2021 Family ID F6 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 3 DANESE, John B, b. 14 Mar 1914, Woonsocket, Rhode Island , d. 10 Jun 1975, Warwick, Rhode Island (Age 61 years) Married 16 Apr 1955 [1] - Source: Marriage Certificate, held by Roger Forbes.
Notes - JB and Rita lived most of their married life in Warwick, Rhode Island. Address:
92 Shand Ave
Warwick, Rhode Island, 02886
Photos 
Rita (Danese) Charest and John B. Danese
Rita (Danese) Charest and Husband John B. Danese. Taken sometime in the late 1950sLast Modified 24 Apr 2021 Family ID F7 Group Sheet | Family Chart
- In March 1956, Rita was living at 188 Cottage Street, Woonsocket, Rhode Island. She was already married and carrying the name Danese.
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Event Map 
Buried - - Saint Jean-Baptiste Catholic Cemetery, Bellingham, Massachusetts 
= Link to Google Earth
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Documents 
Pawtuxet Valley Times Article Jan 24 1967
Pawtuxet Valley Times Article Jan 24 1967, Rita (Danese) Charest was creating a quilt with the largest number of pieces at 48,000. She intended to display it at that year's Brockton, Massachusetts Fair.
Newspaper Article: Mosaic Quilt Will Wow Judges at Summer Fairs
Newspaper "Warwick Beacon" 14 April 1967 story about Rita (Danese) Charest entry of her record-setting quilt into the local state summer fairs in Rhode Island.
Newspaper Article: "Kid's Won't Like Woman's Hobby"
Undated, unidentified newspaper article on a full-size Castor plant grown by Rita (Danese) Charest in Warwick, Rhode Island. This story would have been published sometime in the late 1960's perhaps around 1968.
Letter from Knitting Equipment Manufacturers to Rita (Danese) Charest
Leter from C.J. Bates & Son incorporated, a manufacturer of knitting equipment, to Rita (Danese) Charest.
Newspaper Article "Warwick Woman Kept Girls in Stitches"
Unidentified undated newspaper article about the knitting classes run by Rita (Danese) Charest for young woman of the Warwick, Rhode Island, area. Based upon other news articles, this would have been about 1968.
Newspaper Article "How To Make 15 Girls Happy"
Undated article from the Warwick Pawtuxet Valley news about the knitting lessons run by Rita (Danese) Charest, in Warwick, Rhode Island. This would have been around 1968.
Assorted Newspaper Clippings on Rita (Danese) Charest
Assorted Warwick Pawtuxet Valley newspaper slippings on Rita (Danese) Charest and her award-winning quilt
Assoted Newspaper Clippings on Rita (Danese) Charest
Assorted newspaper clippings from the Warwick Pawtuxet Valley Newspaper on Rita (Danese) Charest. 18 July 1968
Newspaper Article "People and Places"
A newspapaer article from Providence Evening Bulletin on the first graduation of young students of Rita (Danese) Charest's knitting school in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Newspaper Story "Quilt at Fair has 51,000 Pieces"
A newspaper story from Brockon daily Evening Enterprise on the record-setting quilt created by Rita (Danese) Charest, and shown at the current Brockon Fair (Rhode Island). Dated 14 July 1964
Newspaper Story "She Brings a Record to Rhode Island"
Newspaper story from The Providence Journal" on Rita (Danese) Charest winning a record for creating a quilt with the most number of pieces. Dated 25 July 1967Newspaper Article Listing Entries to the 167 Rocky Hill Fair
The Providence Evening Bulliten listing entries to the Rock Hill Fair. Rita (Danese) Charest ("Mrs John B. Danese") is noted as first prize for hooked rugs under the "Home Economics" section. 23 August 1967
Newspaper Story "Mrs John B. Danese Named Warwick Woman of the Year"
Local newspaper The Woonsocket Call on Rita (Danese) Charest being named Warwick's "Woman of the Year" for 1968, Warwick, Rhode Island. Dated 22 July 1968
Rhode Island State Senator Letter to Rita (Danese) Charest
Letter from Rhode Island state Senator Eleanor F. Slater to Rita (Danese) Charest congratulating her on winning a Blue Ribbon for her quilt.
Newspaper story "Worlds Biggest Quilt?"
Pawtuxet Valley newspaper story on Rita (Danese) Charest awarded a world's record for the most number of pieces in a quilt. Dated 24 January 1967
Rita (Danese) Charest Baptismal Certificate
Baptismal certificate of Marie Rita Elmire (Danese) Charest. Note the sponsors are Moise Frenchette and Almire (?) Baillargen.
Rita (Danese) Charest Birth Certificate
Birth certificate of Rita (Danese) Charest
Headstones 
Charest Family Gravestone
Family burial plot for Ildephonse Charest, Emilie (Frechette) Charest, and Rita (Danese) Charest. Rita had her parents moved from Precious Blood Cemetery to this location in 1992.
Charest Family Gravestone
Backside of the gravestone for Ildephonse Charest, Emilie (Frechette) Charest, and Rita (Danese) Charest
Photos 
Ronald Charest and Rita (Danese) Charest
Ron Charest and Aunt Rita (Danese) Charest. Rita loved to make quilts, and one of her quilts was the background for this photo. Taken at the home of Ron Charest in Gautier, Mississippi, about July 2001.Rita (Danese) Charest and John B. Danese
Rita (Danese) Charest and Husband John B. Danese. Taken sometime in the late 1950s
Rita (Danese) Charest with Liberace and Two Friends
Rita (Danese) Charest was a big fan of the singer, pianist, and entertainer Władziu Valentino Liberace ("Liberace"). Liberace once visited Rita in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and spent the afternoon with Rita and two of her friends. Rita later would say Liberace was one of the nicest men she had ever met.
Władziu Valentino Liberace (May 16, 1919 - February 4, 1987) was an American pianist, singer, and actor. A child prodigy born in Wisconsin to parents of Italian and Polish origin, he enjoyed a career spanning four decades of concerts, recordings, television, motion pictures, and endorsements. At the height of his fame from the 1950s to 1970s, he was the highest-paid entertainer in the world with established concert residencies in Las Vegas and an international touring schedule. He embraced a lifestyle of flamboyant excess both on and off stage, earning the nickname "Mr. Showmanship". Liberace was a long-time entertainer on the Las Vegas circuit, known for his elaborate costumes. After his death on February 4, 1987, his fans operated a museum of his many costumes, pianos, cars, and other possessions. The museum closed in October 2010, but as of 2019 the Liberace Foundation continued to award scholarships.
Rita was a huge fan of Liberace, and in 1968 had a chance to meet him at Warwick Musical Theater in Warwick, Rhode Island. From Left to right: Dorothy Palosso (Cousin of Rita), Comedian Fay McKay, Liberace, Rita (Danese) Charest
Martha (Wilkens) Reichelt, Howard Charest, Melinda Charest, Rita (Danese) Charest
Martha (Wilkens) Reichelt, Howard Charest, Melinda Charest, Rita (Danese) Charest, photo taken about 1964, most likely in a park on Long Island. Rita would visit Armand Charest and his family often while Armand's family lived in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. Martha (Wilkens) Reichelt lived in South Ozone Park, Queens and also visited with the family often. Although Martha (Wilkens) Reichelt never learned to drive, her daughter Martha would come over from Farmingdale to pick her up for a day's outing.Rita (Danese) Charest and Roger Forbes
Rita (Danese) Charest and her son Roger Forbes. Most likely taken in late 1960s to early 1970sThe Charest Family, Descendants of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest
A family photograph of all nine children of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest. Taken during a family reunion in the early 1980s. This was the last time all nine children were together, as Margaret would pass several years later.
From Left to right, top row:
Rita, Noella, George, Lucille, Margaret
Second Row:
Clair, Joe, Armand, Theresa
Rita (Danese) Charest's First Communion
Rita (Danese) Charest's first communion. Rita would have been 8 or 9 years old for her first communion. This dress would have been the same First Communion dress worn by her older sisters Marguerite and Therese. This same dress was probably also worn by Rita's younger sisters Lucille, Clair, and Noella for their First Communions
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Sources - [MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE ] (Reliability: 3).
- [MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE ] (Reliability: 3).