Rita Englund

1952 - 2025

Rita Englund
November 5, 2025
Rita Szanto Englund passed away at peace in hospice on November 5, 2025.
Rita was born on the banks of the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary, on July 30, 1952, the only child of Ivan Z. and Marianne B. Szanto. After the Russian invasion of Hungary in 1956, the family escaped at night through the barbed wire and guarded border into Austria. Deemed political refugees, the U.S. government flew the family to Camp Kilmer, N.J., where, speaking no English, they began to build their American Dream in New York City. Ivan worked as executive at various import-export companies and Mimi at I.M. Pei. They lived for many years at 530 E. 90th Street by the East River. Rita attended the Brearley School for grades 1 through 12, graduating in the Class of 1970. She was accepted in the last class of women at Pembroke College that became the Brown University Class of 1974.
In February 1973, Rita and Sven R. Englund met on campus. After Brown, Rita held a variety of jobs, including a stint teaching at Brearley. Rita and Sven finally married, to everyone's relief, in August 1980, at Christ Church Quaker Hill. They rented servant's quarters on Rosebrook Road in New Canaan before purchasing their forever home on Fairty Drive. Their daughter, Kristen Marianne, was born in May 1985 and son, Sven Alexander, in May 1988.
Rita was passionate photographer, who did not like to be photographed, an avid organic gardener of flowers, an artist, and a voracious reader of the "upstairs books" and "downstairs books" type. She instilled the love of books and reading in her children as well as the love of her dogs and cats. As the children grew up, she took part-time jobs in New Canaan, including children's books at Elm Street Books and many years at Bärbel Jewelry. Rita taught a class in writing at the Lapham Community Center for several years. She remained a loving and supportive mother, wife and daughter.
Rita is survived by her father, Ivan of New Canaan, husband, Sven R. Englund of New Canaan, daughter, Kristen E. Katz (Daniel) of Fairfield, and son, Sven A. Englund (Courtney) of Providence, R.I., and beloved members of the extended family.
The family thanks all the caring and supportive friends, neighbors, classmates, and her medical team for their help in this time. The family will greet visitors on November 20, at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street in New Canaan, from 4 to 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk in her name would be appreciated, www.maritimeaquarium.org/donate . A memorial service will be held in the new year.