Obituary of Rita M. Brougham
Belchertown- With great sadness we share that Rita May (Dugre) Brougham passed away peacefully at home on November 15, 2023. She was born on September 22,1934 in Chicopee, to Dorothy (Cormier) Dugre and Alfred Dugre and was lovingly raised by her Aunt Pearl (Laroucque) and Uncle Charles Lucien Dugre. She attended Chicopee Schools. Shortly after her marriage to Harry on Thanksgiving Day 1949, she moved to Belchertown where they started a family. She lived her entire life in Belchertown which was dedicated to her family. She was a true “home body”.
Harry & Rita were married for 71 years. During this time, she supported their family-owned business, H. Brougham Excavating while keeping the home fires burning.
Rita was expert at creating something special out of every little thing. She was an excellent cook and baker. She enjoyed gardening, preserving food by canning or freezing, knitting, sewing and quilting. She was an avid square dancer and country music enthusiast. She especially enjoyed her trips to the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee. Although she traveled extensively with Harry across the country and in Canada, she would always say “there is no place like home”. If you visited her home, the first thing she wanted to do was feed you. She started the tradition of baking homemade cookies for all Belchertown Fair volunteers on Tent Sunday. The second thing she might do is show you her Santa room as she loved everything Christmas, all year long.
She is predeceased by her mother Pearl and her father Charles Lucien, her brothers Leo, George and Clement. She is predeceased by her husband Harry in 2020, her son Mickey, missing in 2010, her grandson Scott 1998, triplet grandchildren; Hannah, Katie, Michael 1989, and son in law Kevin Brown in 2021. Rita lovingly held a special place in her heart for those who passed.
She is survived by her daughter Cindy Brougham Brown of Belchertown, son Gary Brougham and his wife Sandy (Opalowski) of Belchertown, son Brian Brougham and his wife Bonnie (Zwingelstein) of Ware, daughter Fran Lofland and her husband Nathan Thompson of North Yarmouth, Maine, and daughter Carla Chaisson and her husband David of Ware. Rita is survived by 8 grandchildren; Becky, Graham, Jennifer, Adam, Larissa, Dakota, Molly, and Nicholas, 4 great-grandchildren; Zachary, Zane, Jackson and Olivia, and 1 great-great grandchild Adeline.
Rita loved her children and grandchildren very much and enjoyed caring for them and supporting them. She was always proud of their accomplishments and looked forward to receiving letters and pictures from afar to stay informed of their accomplishments.
We extend special thanks to her devoted caregivers; Dakota, Nicholas, Bev, Laurie, Sheryl, Vicki, Wendy, and Kathy who provided daily support and care becoming extended family.
Arrangements are to be determined. In lieu of flowers please donate to the BPD K9 Program at:
Town of Belchertown, BPD K9 Gift, PO Box 901, Belchertown, MA 01007.
Please visit www.beersandstory.com to extend online condolences.
