Rhea M. Neal

Rhea Mae (LaFlamme) Neal, 80, of Sanford, passed away peacefully on July 4 at home surrounded by her loving family.She was born on February 24, 1937 and raised in Sanford, Maine, the daughter of Arthur and Viola (Bernard)LaFlamme. After the passing of her mom at a young age, her father remarried and Rhea was raised by her father and her new mother, Irene (Couture) LaFlamme. She graduated from St. Ignatius High School in June of 1956.Rhea married Richard Neal on August 25th, 1956 and they moved to Kingston, NH while he was attending the University of NH. After graduating with his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering in 1959, they moved back to Sanford. Together they had five children. Kathy Neal, Debi Rix, Brian Neal, Michael Neal and Sharon Schmidt. She has 12 grandchildren (Erica, Heidi, Erika, Alexis, Hannah, Kevin, Grace, Abby, Danny, Moses, Stephanie and Sammy.) She also has 8 great grandchildren. (Dillon, Ryan, Tyler, Madison, Olivia, Emma, Luke and Andrew with three more on the way).Upon the retirement of her husband, Richard, from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1986, Rhea and Richard moved to Acton where they would reside for the next 29 years on Milton Mills Rd in the old farmhouse next to the school. You might have seen Rhea walking down the road or making laps at the fairgrounds. Always active, even in the winter, she would be snowshoeing through the fields next to the house.Rhea had a passion and love for horses and birds. She was also an avid reader and was well known at all the local libraries making her weekly rounds looking for new books. She always encouraged her children to pursue her love of reading.Rhea was an early riser and greeted each day well before the sun came up all of her life. She was loved and will be missed by her entire family and many friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 10th at 10AM at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church, Payne Street, Springvale. Burial will follow at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made the Acton Public Library, 35 H Road, Acton, Me., 04001 or the Springvale Public Library, 443 Main Street, Springvale. ME, 04083. Following the burial all are invited back at the family home.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com