Richlands - Rita Marie (Dion) Twist Wells, 86, of Richlands, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Greendale Forest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Greene County. Funeral services will be announced at a later date.

Rita was the daughter of Alphonse E. and Bernadette Marie (Lamarre) Dion and grew up in the Sanford, Maine area. She was predeceased by her first husband of 40 years, Carroll "Bud" E. Twist; her second husband of 15 years, Robert P. Wells; and her daughter, Christy Wells.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Reinelt and her husband, Bill of Derry, NH; four sons, Michael Twist of Spain, Mark Twist and his wife Pamela of Belgrade, ME, James Wells and his wife Kim of Jacksonville, NC, and Steve Wells and his wife Tanya of Richlands, NC. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews, and Sweetpea her faithful kitty.

Bud and Rita moved from Maine to Merrimac, MA in the early 1960s, where Rita became an active and devoted member of the Church of the Nativity, Pilgrim Congregational Church, and Merrimacport Methodist Church. After retiring to Richlands, North Carolina, Rita was also a faithful member of Richlands Methodist Church. She was well known for making her famous bourbon balls for church fairs—her biggest fans being the catholic priest and the congregational minister.

Throughout her adult life, Rita held many roles, including Tupperware dealer and manager, Merrimac Police School Crossing Guard and Jail Matron, IPI math aide, and Life and Computer Skills teacher at St. Anne's Home in Methuen, MA, and Harbor Schools in Newbury, MA.

Bob and Rita resided in Merrimac before moving to Richlands, North Carolina, where they retired, although Rita remained happily busy with her many crafts and a craft room that was always well stocked.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Rita's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, the Museum of the Marines, or Onslow County Animal Rescue.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date. Rita will be laid to rest at the Locust Grove Cemetery in Merrimac, MA.