Rita Arlene Lucas, 82, of Rock Island, passed away Thursday June 1, 2017 at UnityPoint Health-Trinity, Rock Island with her beloved husband by her side.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m.  Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rock Island. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island. A rosary will be recited at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, with visitation following until 5:00 p.m. at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Suggested memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Disabled American Veterans, or The Wounded Warrior Project.

Rita was born October 4, 1934 in Derby, Connecticut, a daughter of Cyrus and Elmina Babineau-Gaudet of New Brunswick, Canada. She graduated from Seymour High School in Seymour, Conn. She married William J. Lucas on June 6, 1953 in Seymour, Conn.

Rita worked at the 23rd Avenue (Avenue of the Cities) McDonalds in Moline for 43 years. She was fondly known to many in the Quad Cities area as "The McDonald's Lady".

In earlier years, she served as the treasurer for the Mississippi Valley Country Music Association, bowled on the Rock Island Police Auxiliary bowling team, and enjoyed playing cards with friends in a local Card Club. She was a long time member of a local TOPS chapter as well as a leader of that chapter for many of those years.

Rita was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rock Island. She enjoyed crocheting, shopping and old-time patriotic memorabilia. She loved the American Flag. Some of her favorite times were visiting friends and family in Connecticut and trips to Wells Beach, Maine. She especially enjoyed bonding with over 50 first cousins, extended family in the Midwest, Northeastern United States, and Canada.

Surviving are her husband, William, of Rock Island; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Tamara Lucas, Moline, IL, Edward and Ann Marie Lucas, Lindale, Tex., and Joseph Lucas, Rock Island; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Norman Gaudet, Seymour, Conn.; special niece and god daughter, Annette Ochoa; and many more nieces, nephews, and additional family.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; son, David Lucas; sister, Gloria Gaudet; and brother, Roger Gaudet, Sr.