Mary Rickert

Mary (Esposito) Rickert, loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2013, at the age of 91. She was born July 31, 1921 in Danbury, Connecticut to William and Constance (Forlastro) Esposito. She graduated from Danbury High School in 1939. Mary proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy WAVES in February 1944. She received training at Hunter College and the Yeoman School at Oklahoma A&M College. While stationed in Baltimore, she received the teletype advising military personnel about the death of President Roosevelt in April 1945. Mary married Donald Rickert (U.S. Marine Corps) in 1945. Together they had two sons, Terry and Barry.

Continuing her life-long passion and commitment to service, Mrs. Rickert held various positions in eight City of Danbury administrations, spanning four decades. She retired as Assistant City Clerk in 1986. She served as New England vice president of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary, and was an active member of the Democratic Town Committee and the Catholic War Veterans.

Known to those who knew and loved her as “Nonnie”, she is survived by her sons: Terry of Fort Myers, FL and Barry and his wife, Judy, of Danbury, CT. Her brother: John Esposito of Danbury. Three grandsons: Barry and his wife, Jessica; Bryan and his fiancé, Vicki; and Brendan. Her great-grandaughter: Avianna. Many nieces, nephews and friends. She will be deeply missed, greatly loved and never forgotten.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10am at St. Peter Church, Danbury. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury. Friends will be received on Thursday from 4pm to 7pm at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, 1 Memorial Drive, Arlington, VA 22211 or go to www.womensmemorial.org or to the Catholic War Veterans Scholarship Fund, 2 Shalvoys Lane, Danbury, CT 06810. For further information or to express sympathy on-line, go to www.thegreenfuneralhome.com.