Rita Bourdeau

BOURDEAU Rita (Bennett) Bourdeau, age 92, formerly of Brookfield and St. Petersburg, Fla., wife of the late Roland Bourdeau, died on Friday, February 12, at Filosa in Danbury. She was born on December 29, 1917, in Waldon, Vermont, daughter of the late Meda and Elizabeth (LaMora) Bennett. Rita was a talented harmonica player, and taught lessons at the Brookfield Senior Center as well as in St. Petersburg, Florida. She was a past member of the American Contract Bridge League and attained the rank of National Master. In her later years, she enjoyed painting and drawing. Rita was well known for her quick wit and was an avid writer, contributing many pieces in the senior publication in her Florida community. She is survived by her son, Rodney L. Bourdeau of Danbury; her two daughters, Regina O'Connell of Venice, Fla., Renee Drake and her husband, Thomas of Winsted; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Cambras and her husband, Bill, Teresa Oxboel and her husband, Peter, John O'Connell and his wife, Janet, Michael O'Connell and his wife, Mary, Richard Bourdeau and his wife, Michelle, J. Randall Bourdeau and his wife, Jane, Robert Bourdeau and his wife, Sarah, Melissa Frisch and her husband Steve, Tania Porta and her husband, Alfredo, Jason Bourdeau and his wife, Sarah, and Kelly London; and many great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Agnes Antoniak, Mary Bourdeau, Antoinette Bourdeau, and Jenny Bourdeau; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Roland, she was predeceased by her son, Richard, her grandson, John F. London, III, her daughter-in-law, Wilma S. Bourdeau, and her son-in-law, Arthur O'Connell; as well as her six siblings. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 20th at 10:30 a.m. Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Cottage St., Danbury. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, on Friday, February 19th between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. Rita's family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Filosa for their kind and compassionate care for the past seven years. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 18 Cottage Street, Danbury, CT 06810 . To light a candle of hope and remembrance please visit our website at www.CornellMemorial.com