Rita Hanson

Rita (Vendrillo) Hanson, 101, of East Hartford, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the Riverside Health & Rehabilitation Center, East Hartford. A loving wife, Rita was predeceased by her husbands, Frederick Windish, Walter Mitrowski, and Frank Hanson. Born in Manchester on July 21, 1923, a daughter of the late John D. Vendrillo and the late Marion D. Rice, she had been a resident of East Hartford since 1946.

Rita retired from Augie & Rays on Silver Lane, East Hartford in 1988 after 25 years of dedicated service. She also had spent many years in the local catering business. A devout catholic, Rita was a faithful communicant of the former Our Lady of Peace Church in East Hartford. Rita enjoyed many hobbies. Every holiday, her family proudly displays the ceramics she made throughout the years. She took great pride crocheting blankets for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved to bake, especially at the holidays when she would make trays of Italian cookies. She also liked playing bingo at area churches with her friends and family. Most of all, Rita was a proud mother and grandmother who cherished every moment with her family.

Rita is survived by her children, Frederick and Deborah Windish of South Windsor and Stonington, Rita Lupacchino of East Hartford, and Deborah and Richard Hewey of Enfield; her step-daughter, Karen Chadderton of Enfield; six grandchildren, Stacey, Kimberly, Melissa, Marci, Ricky, and Kelly; nine adored great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Along with her beloved parents and husbands, Rita was predeceased by two sisters, Marie Dangona and Gloria Grant; two step-sons, Walter Windish and Gary Mitrowski; and a daughter-in-law, Judith Mitrowski.

Funeral service will be Tuesday (December 10th) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 am at St. Christopher Church of North American Martyrs Parish, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, East Hartford. There are no calling hours. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Tuesday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rita’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Rita’s children would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff at Riverside Health & Rehabilitation Center in East Hartford and to Constellation Hospice for their excellent care, love, and compassion provided to their Mom. The D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford has been entrusted with the care of the funeral arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com