Obituary: Rita M. (Smith) Getchell

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WOLCOTT — Rita M. (Smith) Getchell, 86, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at the VITAS Innovative Care Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital. She was the widow of Francis L. Getchell, the love of her life.

Mrs. Getchell was born in Huntley, Pa., on March 4, 1928, a daughter of the late Lawrence L. and Nellie (Coudriet) Smith. She was a Naugatuck resident since 1963 and a retiree of Ideal Manufacturing in Beacon Falls where she worked for many years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Naugatuck where she taught Sunday school and was the church secretary. Rita was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and her true passion was her family. She enjoyed painting, gardening, quilting and traveling. She will always be remembered for her quick wit, positive attitude, and her sense of humor.

She leaves her sons, Ronald Carlson of New Hartford, Timothy Carlson of Naugatuck, Kent Carlson and his wife Susan of Watertown; daughters, Cheryl Gibran and her husband George of Wolcott, Cynthia Olbrys and her husband David of Torrington; step-daughter, Wendy Smart of Oxford; step-son, Mark Getchell; her twin-sister, Rhea DeVallance of Ridgway, Pa.; a sister-in-law, Jeanette Smith of New Smyrna, Fla.; 16 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four brothers, a sister and her grandson, Justin Karl Finke.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 206 Meadow St., Naugatuck. Burial of her cremains will follow in Grove Cemetery, Naugatuck. The Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck has been entrusted with her arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Opportunities, Inc., Comprehensive Outreach Project for Elders and Foster Grandparents Program, 232 North Elm St., Waterbury, CT 06704.

To send an online condolence, visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.