Obituary of Rita Etchells

Rita Etchells, 90, of Woodstock, CT, died Tuesday, May 17, 2011 while under hospice care. She was the beloved wife of 58 years of Paul Etchells. She was born in West Warwick, RI, November 26, 1920, daughter of Arthur and Jenny (McMannis) Swedberg. Rita made her home in Woodstock for over 55 years, a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Church and was a born again Christian. She was a longtime member of the Garden Club, always learning and enjoyed working and caring for her gardens. Bird watching gave her great enjoyment. Rita had a great love for her home and enjoyed caring for it, an outstanding baker, especially during the Christmas season; she delivered many of her baked goods to the elderly shut-ins. Rita, with her husband Paul traveled extensively, traveling throughout Europe, especially England and the United States, from the Grand Canyon to Maine. She had a great fascination for Native American Jewelry. She graduated from high school at the age of 16, and took a position with an insurance company in Providence, where she was a manager and worked for several years, until her marriage to Paul. Rita had volunteered for many organizations over the years, Meals on Wheels and Blood Pressure Screenings. She was an avid Golfer and played in many Couples Tournaments with her husband at Quinnatisset Country Club. She leaves in addition to her husband Paul, her children: Chuck Etchells of Putnam; Karen Lilly of Woodstock; Gary Etchells of Putnam; siblings; Carlton Swedberg of Rhode Island; Claire Nolan of Florida; grandchildren: Erica and Caleb. Her brother Arthur Swedberg, Jr. was killed in Italy in WWII. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 11:00 AM in Most Holy Trinity Church, 568 Pomfret Street, Pomfret, CT. No calling hours. Burial in Elmvale Cemetery, Woodstock. In lieu of flowers memorial donations maybe made in Rita's memory to Masonic Care Home Health Hospice, 339 Flanders Road, Suite 215, East Lyme, CT 06333. To share a memory Light a Candle at www.smithandwalkerfh.com