Rita C. Cyr

1925 - 2024

BRISTOL

Rita C. (Castonguay) Cyr, 99, of Bristol, widow of Raoul J. Ray Cyr, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at The Pines at Bristol. Rita was born on September 25, 1925, in Drummond, New Brunswick, Canada, the daughter of the late Charles and Adeline (Rioux) Castonguay. She was the third of ten children. Rita was raised on a potato farm in Canada where she became acquainted with hard work at an early age. In 1939, she moved across the border with her family to Van Buren, Maine at which time she spoke solely French. During World War II, Rita, then only 17 years old, moved with her older brother Nil to Hartford, Connecticut to obtain work. She eventually settled in Bristol. Rita's industrious nature led her to work for many employers, including New Departure, the E. Ingraham Company, and the former Grants Department Store. Later, she worked in the cafeterias at Memorial Boulevard School, Bristol Central High School, and Bristol Eastern High School until her retirement. Of all her varied employment positions, she especially loved working in the Bristol school system. There, she was surrounded by children for whom she had such a natural affinity, and being a fabulous cook and baker, the cafeterias were a perfect environment for her. In addition, although Rita's own formal schooling was cut short, she highly valued education and was proud to work in the school setting. Several of Rita's siblings subsequently also moved to Bristol. Rita cherished being surrounded by her family. In 1946, Rita married Ray, who originated from northern Maine. They were happily married for 31 years until his passing. Rita's greatest joy was their daughter Julie whom they had later in life. Rita, an avid reader, instilled in Julie a life-long love of reading and learning. She was a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Bristol, where she was a member of the Ladies Guild and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Rita continued her service as a Eucharistic Minister at The Pines at Bristol, where she was a beloved volunteer for many years prior to becoming a resident. Rita was a sincere, engaging, and generous person. She always had a bright smile on her face, complimenting her calm demeanor. Her warm personality and focus on others improved the days of everyone she met. Rita is survived by her daughter, Julie Cyr of Torrington and her partner Christopher Washburn; her sister, Florence McCluskey Daigle of Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada; and many nieces and nephews who all shared a love of Tante Rita. She was predeceased by her siblings: Nil Castonguay, Annette Leonard, Claire Madore, Armand Castonguay, Ferdinand (Tom) Castonguay, Louis Castonguay, Martha Castonguay, and Roger Castonguay. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 33 Queen Street, Bristol. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, 522 Terryville Avenue, Bristol. Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Avenue, Bristol, on Tuesday, prior to the Mass from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.BCRF.org) , 28 West 44th St., Suite 609, New York, NY, 10036.Please visit Rita's memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com

Rita C. (Castonguay) Cyr