On the evening of November 24, 2019, Rita M. Willie went to be with the Lord at the age of 88.

Rita was born to Thomas and Helen (Heusey) Comito in 1931. She grew up in Queens, N.Y., and attended Andrew Jackson High School and Western Connecticut State University. Rita was married 67 years to her childhood sweetheart, Andrew Willie, and together they raised five children Dru, Tod, Jay, Kim, and Amy.

Rita was a great humanitarian and volunteered her services to many charitable organizations including Meals on Wheels, teaching Sunday School, being a Girl Scout leader, and as a Court Advocate for children. Her greatest joy was her family and grandchildren, and she revered the natural things in life, particularly the sunsets, gardening, oceans, songs of the birds, and the American Indian spirit. She loved to travel and preferred to experience it as the locals do and not as a tourist, always learning about the history and culture.

Rita is preceded in death by her father, Thomas; her mother, Helen; and brother, Thomas Comito, Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Andrew; her five children, Dru Saren, Tod Willie, Jay Willie, Kim Pearce, and Amy Mangold; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; her brother, Anthony Comito; her sister, Anita Thompson; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

There will not be a public memorial service, but a celebration of life will be announced for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made in memory of Rita Willie to Ability Beyond, 4 Berkshire Boulevard, Bethel CT 06801.

To leave an online condolence, visit honanfh.com.