Rita Campbell Obituary

Rita A. (Pouler) Campbell, age 101, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025 at her residence at Brentwood By the Bay Assisted Living. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph J. Campbell who died in 2003. They had been married for 55 years.
Rita was born at home in Providence, R.I., on September 19, 1923 to Regina (Roberge) Pouler and Paul Pouler. She grew up in Riverview, Warwick, a stone's throw from Narragansett Bay. She loved the Bay, agreeing to move to Brentwood By the Bay at age 96, "when a water view room is available".
Rita attended Lockwood High School. She graduated in the first graduating class of the then newly built Gorton High School in 1941. Following graduation, she worked at Brown and Sharpe. After she raised her family in Cranston, RI, she went to work as the secretary in the Office of Communications for the Dioceses of Providence.
She was an avid artist and studied under the tutelage of C. Gordon Harris in Wickford R.I. She later became a prolific arts and crafts enthusiast, antique collector, furniture refinisher and a rather good golfer. She read books, news and articles daily until the last month of her life. She was always upbeat and very stylish, consistently matching her outfits and jewelry. She was never known to speak an unkind word. Rita and Joe happily retired to Stuart, FL for 19 winters.
Rita is survived by her three loving children: Linda A. Mitchell and son-in-law Vincent of Wickford, R.I., Joseph J. Campbell, M.D., and daughter-in-law Kathleen Staudinger, M.D. of Naples, FL., and Carol R. Campbell of Warwick, RI., two special granddaughters: Carrie Mitchell Kolb (Joseph) of Wickford, and Elizabeth Mitchell, M.D. of Garden City, NY, along with her adoring great grandchildren: Alexander and Isabel Davis.
In addition to her husband, Rita was predeceased by her siblings John O'Connor, Helen (O'Connor) LeGarie, Herman Pouler, Jeannette (Pouler) Redmond, Wilford Pouler, Clifford Pouler, and Pauline (Pouler) Cunningham, along with all of their spouses.
Rita's funeral will be held on Thursday July 10, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Road, Warwick. The burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Providence.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Roger Williams Park Zoo online at wwwrwpzoo.com or by mail to RIZS @ Roger Williams Park Zoo at 1000 Elmwood Ave Providence RI 02907.