Rita Elliot

Rita Arlene Barry Elliot died October 10, 2008 after a short illness. Born December 31, 1921 in Chicago, IL, she was the youngest of nine children. An actress and singer, Rita spent her early adulthood doing summer stock. She met her husband of 46 years Win at the NBC Studios in New York and together they raised ten children.

A woman of great faith, Rita was an original congregant of St. Luke's Church in Westport. Over the years she served as a Lector, a Eucharistic Minister, a St. Stephen's Minister and a Minister of Mirth. Rita's passions were the theater, singing, tennis and synchronized swimming. Whether it was participating at the Theater Artist Workshop in Westport, singing with the Pitch Pipers, performing with the Dolphins Synchronized Swimming Team, playing tennis at the Patterson Club of Fairfield or participating in the many activities at the Westport Senior Center, her dance card was always full. Rita was active in volunteer service throughout her life. She taught swimming through STAR, worked at local soup kitchens and was known as “Jazz” the Clown as part of the St. Luke's Clown ministry providing entertainment for the elderly and infirm.

Rita is survived by her sister, Helen Herbold of Sandy Hook, CT/Kinderhook, NY; her brother-in-law, Biff Elliot and his wife, Connie of Studio City, CA; her children: Richard of Brookfield, CT, Peter and his wife, Rosalyn of Newnan, GA, Sue Elliot-Bearce and her husband, Charlie of Greenfield Center, NY; Michael and his wife, Cheryl of Sandy Hook, CT; Robert of Scituate, MA, Marilyn Elliot-McDonough and her husband, Dan of Avon, CT, Patti Elliot and her husband, Reuel Warkov of Los Gatos, CA., Douglas of Saugerties, NY; her son-in-law, Peter Cobb of Greenwood Village, CO; nineteen grandchildren and one great granddaughter. She was predeceased by her husband, Win, her daughter, Kathy Elliot Cobb and son, Chuck Elliot.

Visitation will be held at the Shaughnessey-Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road, Fairfield, CT 06824 on Thursday October 16, 2008 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, October 17, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. directly at St. Luke's Church, 49 Turkey Hill Road North, Westport, CT 06880. Interment is private. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Charles M. Elliot Scholarship Fund, C/O Staples Tuition Grants, P.O. Box 5159, Westport, CT 06881-5159.

Rita's family would like to thank her many wonderful friends and the professional caring staff members of Norwalk Hospital, Meadow Ridge and Mid-Fairfield Hospice for their loving care. To send an online condolence, please visit www.shaughnesseyfuneralhome.com