Rita May Rourke, of Deep River, Connecticut died on October 16, 2024 at the age of 88 after a brief illness. She was born in New Britain on September 29, 1936 to Charles A. Saglio, Sr. and Angeline (Scalise) Saglio of Clinton, Connecticut. She was predeceased by a sister, Marie Saglio, and a brother, Rev. Dr. Charles A. Saglio, Jr. She held a B.S in Education, an M.S. in Child Psychology and a Reading Certification from Central Connecticut State University.
A committed educator for over 40 years, Rita taught elementary education and reading in Madison public schools, and was a special education aid in Westbrook High School. A beloved wife, mother and grandmother, she is survived by her husband, James D. Rourke, her daughter, Marissa Rourke Smith, her son-in-law Randall Smith and her granddaughter, Satya Smith, as well as her "favorite cousins", Marita Gargulio and Gemma Matthewson.
Throughout her life Rita enjoyed playing piano, reading, knitting and crocheting, baking, nature, and devoting her care and love to her family. A funeral Mass will be held at Saint Joseph’s Church, 48 Middlesex Avenue in Chester, Connecticut on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 11:00 am with burial immediately following at Saint Mary's Cemetery, Beach Park Road in Clinton, Connecticut. Visitation will be held before the Funeral Mass at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook, Connecticut from 9:30am to 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita’s name to Middlesex Health Hospice, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT O6457
