Rita I. Kargul (Blanchette)

Rita I. (Blanchette) Kargul, 92, of East Hartford, loving wife of 57 years to the late Bolek A. ""Bo"" Kargul, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, (June 28, 2011). Born in Moosup, CT on July 9, 1918, a daughter of the late Andrew and Delina (Grenier) Blanchette, she had been a resident of East Hartford for the past 70 years. Rita was a people-person, always hospitable, and so thoughtful and caring of others. She was a wonderful cook and known by so many for her famous delicious apple pies. Rita was a self-taught seamstress and made many beautiful things for her family and friends. Rita loved being busy and was a hard worker for her family throughout her life. Her warm smile, gentle touch, and hearty laughter will be remembered always by all who knew her. Besides her beloved husband, ""Bo"", Rita was predeceased by her brothers, Arthur Blanchette and Theodore Blanchette, and a sister, Jeannette Demers. Rita leaves her cherished children, Dennis Kargul and his wife, JoAnn, of Alma, CO, Jimmy Kargul and his companion, Donna Fontaine, of Waterbury, and Marlene Sheperd and her husband, Michael, of South Windsor. Rita was blessed with two devoted granddaughters, Nicole Kargul of Lake Ariel, PA, and Melanie Rita Sheperd, and her husband Michael Kapareiko, of Prospect, CT. Melanie was the light of Rita's life. In addition, she leaves her brother Leo Blanchette, and his wife, Liz, of Moosup; sister-in-law, Irene Kestner of Jewett City; two special nieces, Rosalie Bouley of Casselberry, FL, and Ann Bouline of New Britain, along with other nieces and nephews; and a special longtime friend, Pauline VanAllen, who never forgot her. Rita felt her greatest life achievements were being a wife, mother and grandmother to her family.

Private funeral services and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rita's memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans' Association, 35 Cold Spring Road, Suite 315, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. The D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford has been entrusted with the care of the funeral arrangements. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.