Rita Lewis

LEWIS, RITA M. Rita M. Lewis, 87, beloved wife of the late William A. Lewis who passed in April of 2012, loving mother and grandmother, died Saturday, April 20, 2013, at Connecticut Hospice. Rita was born in New Haven, November 21, 1925, a daughter of the late Bernard and Julia Shea McManus. She grew up in Hamden and was a member of Hamden High, Class of 42, and following graduation, attended Larson Junior College in Hamden. Her marriage brought her to West Haven where she and Bill made their loving home for 58 wonderful years. A devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and always a "Lady", holidays and other family gatherings were made more special by Mom's attention to every detail. The perfectly set table, that special gift so carefully selected, and the genuine love she gave to us, her family, and others as well, will live forever in our hearts and memory. Beyond dedication to her family, Rita always found the energy and time to give generously of herself to Our Lady of Victory Church, volunteering at the Church Bazaar and other fund raising activities. She also embraced a special commitment to the Special Olympics. Rita is survived by her loving children and the grandchildren she cherished so deeply; her daughter, Andrea Lewis, her daughter Elizabeth A. Prussin, husband Robert, and their sons Mark, Matthew, and Steven, her daughter Patricia E. Torro, husband Paul, and their children Zachary and Caroline, and her son Paul Lewis. She was preceded in death by her dear son Peter Lewis, a brother, Bernard McManus, and a sister, Marion Chapell. The funeral will be from the Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm Street, West Haven, Tuesday morning at 10:15 with a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Victory Church at 11:00. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home, Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics Connecticut, 2666 State Street, Suite 1, Hamden, CT 06517. Condolences may be expressed online at www.keenanfuneralhome.com