Rita M. Lawler

Rita M. Lawler passed peacefully on September 26th, surrounded by the love of her family. Born and raised in Holyoke, Rita was married to the late Timothy J Lawler. A lover of the arts, Rita studied dance in NYC, and returned to operate a dance studio in Holyoke. She was an active member of the Belleek Collector’s Society, and committed volunteer at Commonwealth Opera, Wistariahurst Museum, Save the Victory Theater and WGBY, the latter of which she was also a charter member of their Volunteer Guild. She was a long standing and dedicated Choral Director of the Choralites at the S Hadley Senior Center, and devoted Assistant Director of the St. Patrick’s Church Choir, always side by side with her longtime friend and cohort, Gert. Along with her husband, Tim, as owners of Lawler Construction Corp., Rita was a pioneer for women in the industry as a charter member of the local chapter of Women in Construction. She also served as a multi-term member of the S Hadley Electric Light Board. With a kind spirit and generous soul, Rita will be remembered as someone who always cared for others more than herself. An adored matriarch to the end, she left us surrounded by the love of four children – Marc and Roxanne Guenther, of the late Paul “Fleet” Guenther, and Sean and Kristen Lawler, along with their partners – Maryanne, Cindy and Cheechong; nine grandchildren – Shane, Kori, Jake, Jakki, Chelsee, Zak, Keeley, Lyric and Cadence; and seven great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss dearly her sage advice, quick wit and loving guidance. Always befitting and elegant, Rita’s signature White Linen perfume will forever bring her back to us. Among her great joys in life were singing, Captiva sunsets on the beach, doing NYT crossword puzzles in pen, late night online shopping, traveling near and far, watching Jeopardy, Nick’s Nest hot dogs and chocolate milkshakes, listening to great jazz and operas, reading mystery novels, and talking politics. She had a special place in her heart for animals, particularly her beloved champion Morgan horses, which brought her infinite happiness. Calling hours will be held Saturday, October 2 from 11:30am-1pm at O’Brien Family Funeral Home, in S Hadley, immediately followed by a funeral service at 1pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Tufts Equine Center Hospital, via Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, N. Grafton, MA (508)839-7905. For more information please go to obrienfamilyfh.com.