Rita Eileen Murray, 90, of East Hartford passed away peacefully Friday, August 19th, 2022.

Born to William and Harriet Walsh (Keating) on January 2, 1932 in New Castle, New Brunswick Canada, she was the youngest daughter and last surviving member of a family of nine. She was a former resident of Moncton, New Brunswick where she had married her dear surviving husband of 69 years, Everett J. Murray. Rita and her family immigrated to Hartford, Connecticut before settling in East Hartford for over 61 years.
When Rita was younger, she along with her family and neighbors had a knitting circle which traveled locally to provide scarves, mittens and hats. As the matriarch of the family she ensured that the house ran smoothly with everyone pitching in and making the house a home. As a homemaker she was a caring friend who always had time to listen, tell a story, laugh and provide a meal to any unexpected guests. She was a knitter and sewer who clothed her family and neighbors.

Rita’s travel adventures included camping with family and friends as well as cruises and many road trips. She was an avid “beach bum” who loved spending her summers at many of New England’s beautiful beaches as well as visiting The Miramachi, the Bay of Fundy and Prince Edward Island. For many years she returned annually to her birthplace of New Brunswick to visit family and friends.

As a founding family of St. Isaac-Jogues Church in East Hartford, she remained a faithful and active parishioner as well as a participant in many community events such as Meals-On-Wheels and Red Cross Blood Drives. She and Everett spent many of their retired years swimming, doing water aerobics and yoga thru the Town of East Hartford’s Recreation Program. She and Everett were active members of the East Hartford Senior Center as well as league bowlers at Silver Lanes.

She was a cherished employee of The Travelers Insurance Company for 25 and a member of the Travelers Girls Club.

In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her son David W. Murray and his wife, Marissa Ocasio, daughter Karen L. Murray and her partner Amanda Reese (predeceased), granddaughter Shea E. Gallardo and husband Jose, great-granddaughter Sophia A. Gallardo, as well as countless cousins, nieces and nephews.

Because she was an animal lover who looked out for all four-legged and feathered friends, we are asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Rita’s memory to Protectors of Animals in East Hartford Connecticut (https://poainc.org/donate/)

Calling hours will be at D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St, East Hartford on Friday August 26 from 3-5 p.m. with a short Memorial Service starting at 4:00 p.m.