Rita M. Staib

Rita M. (Cottrell) Staib of Bethel, died, Sunday, October 31, 2010 at The Kent Health Center, Kent, after a long, courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was the widow of Lawrence Staib, her longtime high school sweetheart of 59 years. Mrs. Staib was born September 17, 1924 in Danbury, sole daughter of William and Cathleen (Rafferty) Cottrell. She moved to Bethel with her parents in her junior year of high school, and had been a resident ever since. She graduated from Bethel High School and shortly thereafter, on December 27, 1944 married her one true love Larry, during a temporary military leave from the Air Force. During the war time she was employed at the Capitol Machine Company in Danbury as a machine operator and then later worked at the Bethel Union Trust Bank, bur her main focus in life was to be an adoring wife and loving mother to her two girls and then later on as grandmother and great grandmother. I being the surviving daughter, and speaking on behalf of my late sister, Anita, who predeceased us, I can truly say she excelled at this and she will be sorely missed. Mom will also be remembered as being an avid Elvis Presley fan, and those who knew my mom and dad would share in their fun trips and experiences. In addition to her husband, Rita was, as mentioned, predeceased by her daughter, Anita Crain Staib and also her son in-law, John Crain, Sr. She is survived by her one remaining daughter: Cathleen Staib Pereira and her husband Alberto; her grandchildren: Victor, Christina, Billy, Theresa and Jack; her great grandchildren: Nina, Alfredo, Leighann and Patrick, along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association to help find a cure for this terrible disease. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Church, Bethel Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bethel. There will be no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are in care of the Bethel Funeral Home. Information and online condolences can be found at www.HullFuneralService.com.