Rita A. Feitelberg

Rita Arline Feitelberg, neè Bettez, age 84, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Catholic Memorial Home after a courageous eight year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was the wife of the late Morris “Moe” Feitelberg to whom she was married for thirty two years.

Rita was born in Providence, Rhode Island to the late Edgar and Rose (Boisvert) Bettez. Rita was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy in Fall River and a 1971 graduate of Diman School of Nursing in Fall River. Rita’s nursing career spanned over forty years, culminating in a 22 year career at the US Naval Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island where she received numerous commendations for her performance. She continued part time for several years in private duty nursing, fully retiring in 2010. Friendship filled Rita’s life, and she extended a smile and introduction to everyone she met. Her smile and laugh were contagious.

Rita raised her family in Somerset and as her nest emptied, she and Moe moved to Aquidneck Island in 1989. During those years, Rita and Moe were devoted parishioners at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Portsmouth, RI. One of Rita’s favorite prayers was the Prayer of St. Francis and her favorite hymn was “On Eagles' Wings”. Her absolute greatest joy was her family and the time spent together on vacations in California, DC, Virginia, Florida, Washington State Cape Cod, and most especially her children’s younger days at Howland’s Beach in Westport Harbor. That truly was her happy place.

Rita’s love of music was an integral part of her family life and their home was never without her favorites; Sinatra, Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, and Camelot. In the summers of the late 1970’s she and her friends and family so enjoyed going to the Warwick Musical Tent to enjoy some of her favorite artists. Her most special musical memory was on a July night at Festival Field in Newport with her sister Lorraine, where Barbra Streisand performed under the stars, finishing the night with an a cappella version of Silent Night. It was a memory that never left her. Christmas with the Boston Pops and Trinity Rep’s “A Christmas Carol” were among her most cherished holiday events that she enjoyed with her family.

In the mid 1980’s she and Moe were invited to a private event at the Venus De Milo where Frank Sinatra was introduced to and photographed with them. Needless to say, they were both over the moon for days!

Rita almost never missed a performance of her grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals, ballets, plays, and graduations. They were the lights of her life and her heart.

Rita is survived by her four children from her first marriage to Walter Quinn. Son Michael Quinn and his wife Melissa of Rochester, New York, daughters Kathy Quinn Chicoine and her husband Mark of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Pamela Manchester and her husband Kenneth “Skip” Manchester of Westport, and Patricia Swift and her husband Scott of Westport. Rita leaves six grandchildren; grandson Patrick Chicoine, and granddaughters Meggie (Chicoine) Curran and her husband Tucker, Jordan, Andee, and Hallie Manchester, Maura (Quinn) Saraco and her husband Cameron; and one great-grandchild, Logan Saraco.

Rita leaves one sister, Lorraine Costa of Coventry, Rhode Island and her children, Bette (Costa) Ottaviano and her husband Ron, of Davenport, Fl and son, James Costa of Davidson, North Carolina. Rita was the aunt of the late Dawn Costa.

Rita would not want to be defined by her illness, rather her passionate embrace of life, love, friendship and family. She will be deeply missed.

Rita’s funeral services will be private and are in the care of Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, Fall River. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s honor may be made to Women’s Alzheimer's Movement at Cleveland Clinic. https://thewomensalzheimersmovement.org