Rita V. Bernhardt, 91, of Acton, MA, formerly of North Falmouth and Wellesley, died peacefully on October 1.

Mrs. Bernhardt was born in Newton and was the daughter of the late James B. and Hazel F. (Scott) Freeburn.

She attended Kenwood Academy of the Sacred Heart formerly in Albany, NY, where she excelled in field hockey. Following high school, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Barat College of the Sacred Heart in Chicago and upon graduation she became a French teacher. Rita worked in Wellesley at the cosmetics counter at Filene's for many years.

On September 9, 1950, she married Theophile J. Bernhardt, Jr and they shared many happy years together until his passing in 1997. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Patricia Bernhardt, her sister, Clare Buccigross and brother, Robert Freeburn.

Rita had a great sense of fashion and was always very beautiful.  She was also an excellent decorator and loved to entertain.

She was an avid sports fan and spent many evenings watching the Boston teams.  She especially loved college football and cheered on her beloved Boston College Eagles. She notably enjoyed the rivalry with Notre Dame.  She and her late husband, a triple Eagle, were members of the Shaw Society at Boston College and were very involved in support of BC.

She was an active member of the Parish of St. Elizabeth Seton in North Falmouth, Massachusetts for many years and served faithfully on the Women's Guild.

Rita was dearly loved by her grandchildren and they enjoyed talking sports and spending time together.

She maintained all her friendships throughout her life: high school, college, church friends, and neighbors. She also stayed close to relatives and friends in her beloved vacation spot in Maine.

Rita is survived by her children, Ted Bernhardt and his wife Peg of Concord, Rita Partridge and her husband Bill of Norfolk, her sister Florence Johnson of Scarborough, ME, her cherished grandchildren, Jessica Greene, Melissa Partridge, Thom Partridge, Nathan Partridge and his wife Courtney, Allison Partridge and Christopher and Harrison Bernhardt and great grandchildren, Chandler Braddock, Kendall Greene and Will Partridge.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford, on Tues., Oct. 9, at 9:30 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic TV, P.O. Box 9196, 34 Chestnut St., Watertown, MA 02471