On Thursday, October 18, 2018, Rita passed away peacefully with family by her side at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. Rita, age 97, was born in Nashua, NH on August 16, 1921. She was the second child of Alfred B. Gagnon and Mary Sullivan. She is survived by her sister, Ann Molloy of Lancaster PA. Rita is the loving mother of eight children; Stephen, Suzanne, Peter, Paul, Richard (deceased), William, Rita and Mark. Her husband, Joseph Richard "Dick" Roszel, passed away in 1979. She has 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, and a host of others who loved her as their Grammy.
Rita and family moved to Falls Church, VA in 1958. She lived on Hallwood Avenue and was a member of St. James Catholic Church for 60 years. After raising her children, she was a daily communicant at St. James and engaged in many charitable works.
Rita was an avid reader and it was difficult obtaining enough books for her until she got her Kindle. She liked to travel at home and abroad. Rita watched her shows and her sports. She was a big fan of the Washington Nats, the Skins, Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal. Rita enjoyed getting her hair done and going out with family to dinner. Most of all, she loved her family and friends. Rita was the center of our family. Birthdays and holidays revolved around her and her home.
Visitation and prayers will be held from 6-8PM Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street in Falls Church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00AM on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Avenue in Falls Church. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will occur 9:00AM on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Father McKenna Center in Washington DC.
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