Rita M. Izbicki

Rita Manning Curioso Izbicki, aged 88, of 51 Norman Drive, Gales Ferry, died May 11 of a heart attack. She was an exuberant lover of life, who is already missed by her son, Don Curioso (his wife Jackie Wright); her daughter, Nora Curioso; the “best boys in the whole world,” her grandsons, Anthony and Christopher Curioso; brother, Jim Manning, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Before age slowed her, she was a world travelling, beach going, wave jumping, CT Legal Secretary of the Year award winning, tax preparing, course taking, theater attending, mystery reading, lasagna making, lunch organizing, charity giving, volunteering, CCD teaching, St. Anthony revering, Sacrament receiving, grandson visiting, Irish American original.

Always finding things to look forward to kept her engaged in life right up to her death. She was pre-deceased by her husbands Anthony Curioso and Edward Izbicki; sister, Loretta Mara; brother Donald Manning; parents James & Nora (Barry) Manning, and innumerable friends and relations.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to either the Ledyard Library, who kept her in books right till the end; the Office of Radio & Television, 15 Peach Orchard Road Prospect, CT, which airs Holy Mass weekdays @ 10:00; or the St. Francis House, 30 Broad Street, New London, whose members prayed for her every day for years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday May 16th 9:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry, followed by burial at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich, (across from the DMV), and a coffee social back at Our Lady of Lourdes. Please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com to leave an online tribute or condolence.