Cumberland,

Rita (Lefebvre) Malloy passed into serene sleep to meet our Father in Heaven on January 23, 2024, in Farragut, TN in the presence of loved ones.
Born on May 23, 1926, in Central Falls, Rhode Island, Rita was the daughter of the late George and Ailene (Pinelle) Lefebvre. She was the wife of the late Dennis Malloy, with whom she resided in Cumberland for over 57 years.

Rita is survived by her five children, Kathleen Malloy of Monroe, NC, Christine (Roy) Kimball of Greenback, TN, Dennis (Linda) Malloy of Cumberland, Mary (John) Nikitas of Clinton, TN, and David (Lisa) Malloy of Haddam Neck, CT, sixteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.
The third of nine children, Rita was pre-deceased by her sisters: Therese Depot, Gertrude Vigeant, Lucille Pigeon, Lillian Arcisz, Claire Johnson and her brothers, Edouard Lefebvre, Gerard Lefebvre, and Al Lefebvre.

In 1946, Rita met veteran World War II pilot and budding businessman Dennis Malloy. Swept off her feet, they were married in 1947. The couple were very active in local musical theater and performed together in area musical revues. Through the years Rita was a member of many civic organizations including the Library Association, Girl Scouts, PTA, and the Red Hatters. She was a sports Mom and avid cheerleader for her children at swim meets and baseball, soccer, and softball games. For many years Rita was a fashion model for local department stores and continued modeling into her 80s. She was fabulous and glamourous every day. She spent many summers in Bonnet Shores, RI enjoying the sun and surf in the company of her grandchildren. Her winters saw her traveling to Lighthouse Point, FL where she was a putt-putt golf champion. The beach was her favorite go-to spot where many family memories were made. She was always ready to lend a hand, offer a listening ear or whip up her much sought after Swedish meatballs. In 2019, Rita relocated to Knoxville, TN where she discovered a love for biscuits and gravy, guacamole, and sweet southern voices.
She was a woman of very strong faith who was devoted to Saint Anthony, volunteered at the Historic Saint Joseph's Church, and made rosary beads that were sent around the world. Rita's was a life well lived.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 10:30AM at the Historic Saint Joseph's Church, 1303 Mendon Road Cumberland. Burial will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road Cumberland, RI.

. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting stjude.org.

Online memorial: jjduffyfuneralhome.com