She was born in Springfield, Mass to the late Marie Zenaide Lessard Pellerin and Alfred Pellerin (who passed away shortly before her birth) and was raised by her late stepfather Albert Pepin.
She moved to Windsor, CT as a teen and graduated from John Fitch High School.
She then enrolled in the St Francis Hospital School of Nursing and received her BSN in 1951. She found employment at St Francis Hospital and worked the night shift on a surgical floor for over 20 years prior to her retirement. In 1987 she was one of three RNs to receive an honor for outstanding service during the hospital’s first Nursing Recognition Day.
Rita married her late husband Rudolph in St Gabriel’s Church in Windsor in 1954 and moved to New Britain where they lived out their lives and raised 4 sons. Together they were parishioners of St Francis of Assisi Church where she was involved in the Altar Society. When unable to attend the daily Mass she would watch the televised version faithfully.
Besides being involved in their boy’s school and athletic activities, she enjoyed her time with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and looked forward to watching UCONN Women’s and Men’s basketball as well as NY Yankees baseball. She was an avid league bowler and earned many team and individual awards.
During retirement she spent a lot of happy times traveling with her brothers and sisters around the country and cruised to Alaska and the Caribbean. There was always a tale to tell upon their return. This group also spent many evenings sharing dinners, stories, and playing card games.
She was never one to say no and always was willing to offer a warm meal or a helping hand to friends or neighbors, some of whom became her second family.
Rita is survived by her brother Joseph "Butch” Pepin, and sisters Theresa Dakin and Rita DellaRocco, along with their extended families. She was predeceased by her brother Raymond Pepin. Rita is departing from a very large family of much beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends stretching from Quebec, Canada to South Carolina, especially her very close friends Mary Chester, the late Eugenia Carter, and the recently deceased Theresa Prairie.
She is saying good-bye to her sons Carl, Barry and his wife Arlene, and Brian and his wife Stacey. She was predeceased by her son Timothy.
She found love and happiness caring for her grandchildren Jessica, Thomas, Nathan, Kristyn, Jillian, Jason, Deanna, and Zofia. She also greatly enjoyed spending special time with her great grandchildren Ryan, Gabriel, Zachary, Shawn, Austin, and Aiden.
We are at peace knowing she will now reside in Heaven with Rudy and her eternal family.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff at Cassena Care for their loving and personal care offered to Rita during her stay there. They have been truly outstanding and are Angels in their own right. All are deserving of a huge Thank You!
Because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic there will be no calling hours. A memorial celebration of her life will be arranged at future date. Burial will be private in St Mary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to St Francis of Assisi Church, the Juvenile Diabetes Association, or the charity of one’s choice.
New Britain Memorial/Sagarino Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18