Rita L. Whipple , 84, of Elm Street, Lancaster, N.H., died Saturday afternoon, Sept. 20, 2008, at her home on Elm Street. Mrs. Whipple was born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on July 2, 1924, the daughter of Joseph A. and Marieann (Roy) Cyr. Rita was raised in St. Johnsbury, attending schools there and was a graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy. For a time she worked in the Gilman Paper Mill where she met her late husband Perley A. Whipple Jr. After their marriage she moved to Lancaster where she resided for the rest of her lifetime. She was an outdoor person and enjoyed their camp in Maidstone. She was also an avid doll collector. Memberships include the VFW Auxiliary and the Colonel Town Senior Citizens. Family members include two sons, Perley A. Whipple III and his wife Tina of Bethlehem, Lance C. Whipple and wife Carolyn of Lancaster; three daughters, Judith A. Whipple Brown and husband Ed of Dover, Brenda L. Whipple of Lancaster, Sandra M. Willey and husband Dennis of Dalton; a brother Roland Cyr of Connecticut; a sister Florence Vigeant of Passumpsic; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Her husband predeceased her in 1988. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday evening Sept. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service will be held Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. at the Lancaster Congregation United Church of Christ. Rev. Virginia Alvarez, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. Donations may be made in her memory to Hospice of Weeks Medical Center, Attn: Abby Pollender or Gail Tattan-Giampaolo, 278 Main St., Lancaster, NH 03584 or the Lancaster Humane Society, Martin Meadow Pond Road, Lancaster, NH 03584.