Rita C. Crothers

Rita Catherine Gillooly Crothers, the loving wife of the late Frederick A. Crothers passed away peacefully with her family by her side on May 25, 2021 at the age of 83 and a half. Rita was born in Pawtucket, RI on December 27 ,1937, daughter of the late James G. and Susan Gilbert Gillooly.

Rita Catherine leaves her devoted daughters, Deborah of Bronxville, NY, Monica of Yonkers, NY and Laura Ansel (Don) of Danbury, CT , along with her loving grandchildren Ryan and Caitlin Ansel. She also was predeceased by her brother James Gillooly.

Rita was a graduate of St. Xavier Academy Providence, RI class of 1955. She and Fred were married on November 11, 1958 at St. Raymond Church in Providence and lived in Philadelphia, PA and Stamford, CT before settling down in Danbury in 1967.

Before Marriage she was secretary to the CYO director of the Diocese of Providence and was a home maker for 21 years. During that time she was active in Girl Scouts, becoming the first chairperson of the Daisy Lawrence Neighborhood. Rita also worked for the City of Danbury Board of Education as secretary at the former Roberts Ave Elementary school and later as secretary for the coordinator of Early Childhood Language Arts and E.S.L at Beaver Brook Center.

Rita and Fred retired in 1992 and spent time traveling to Ireland, Great Britain, Bermuda and the Bahamas, and were summer residents for 45 years in Little Compton, RI. Rita enjoyed the beach, reading, seeing friends and attending all of Ryan and Caitlin’s social events. She so cherished her conversations and relationship with her much loved son-in-law Don Ansel.

Calling hours will be held at Green Funeral Home 57 Main Street Danbury, CT on Thursday May 27 between 4 and 8 pm. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday May 29, 2021 at St. Catherine of Siena Church ,74 Simmons Rd ,Little Compton, RI. Burial will immediately follow at Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery, South of Commons, Little Compton RI where she will be reunited with Fred.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can please be made out to Regional Hospice ,30 Milestone Road in Danbury, CT 06810 who took such excellent care of our mom these past couple weeks.