Rita-Rae was the daughter of Cyrille and Bertha (Lavalley) Babbie. She was born February 3rd, 1933.

She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1951 in Champlain, NY. On October 25th, 1952, she married Walter Laurin. They were farmers and raised four children, Bonnie, Ricky, Mark and Kevin. Rita-Rae founded the Coopersville Braves 4-H Club and continued it for 30 years. She served on the 4-H Extension Board. She also was an active member of the Woman's Farm Bureau Committee. She was a 50-year member of the Ladies of St. Anne's Society of St. Joseph's Church in Coopersville. She was a Chazy reporter for the Islander Newspaper when it first began. Rita-Rae also served on the Republican Committee for the Town of Champlain and was also Election Inspector in Champlain for many years. She volunteered for the CCD and many, many other things. She made hundreds of wedding and birthday cakes for friends and family through the years. She did all of this while working the dairy farm and raising her children, and later often with her grandchildren at her side. Her generous spirit, love of cooking and meeting new people led her to start and run the Grand Vue Bed and Breakfast in Chazy for almost 20 years. Because of this, she met people from all over the world and added even more lasting friendships to the vast collection of people who knew and loved her.

Rita-Rae was a lifelong learner, who loved to read, travel when she could, and try new things. She was a doting grandmother and great-grandmother who believed she had the best family and friends. She touched so many lives and will be greatly missed. 

She is survived by her children Bonnie Ann Massey Preston (John), Ricky Howard Laurin (Priscilla), Mark Patrick Laurin, and Kevin Walter Laurin, her grandchildren Erin Armstrong (Chase), Lora Bullock, Jerrod Laurin (Shannon), Jana Laurin (Albee), Jessica Gilmour (Anthony), and Jason Patrie (Leslie), her great-grandchildren Elsa Armstrong, Celia Armstrong, Elle Patrie, and Oliver Gilmour, her sister Audrey Falcon, sister-in-law Eunice Babbie, many special nieces and nephews, and many great friends, especially Sharon Patrie. 

She was previously deceased by her husband of nearly 73 years, Walter Laurin, her parents, Cyrille and Bertha Babbie, her brother Leeward Babbie, her son-in-law Tom Massey, daughters-in-law, Lynda Laurin and Becky Laurin, brother-in-law Dick Falcon, grandson-in-law, David Bullock, dear friend Clarence Patrie, and many other close friends and family.

The family would like to thank Sister Rani for visiting Rita-Rae and Walter the last several years, the staff at Meadowbrook Healthcare, and all who visited her there the last few months. 

Calling Hours will be held from 10am to 11am at St. Mary’s Church in Champlain on Monday, January 12, 2026. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11am.

Arrangements are in the care of the Ross Funeral Home.