Rita D. Payne

On December 18th 2014, Rita passed peacefully in her sleep. Though Rita has happily returned to heaven; her faith, her gentle spirit, and her unconditional love for family is already missed by everyone who knew her. She lived her life secure in the knowledge that “God made me to know him, to love him, to serve him in this world and to be happy with him forever in the next.”

In 1958, as a widow with five children, she moved to West Palm Beach from New York. She raised her children in the same loving home she lived in for 56 years. Rita was a remarkable lady, a devoted mother, a loving grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a dedicated member of St. Juliana Catholic Church where she was active in many clubs, including The Catholic Daughters of America and the Holy Family Circle.

She was born October 6, 1919, in New York to Thomas F. Connors and Mary Riehl. Rita was one of nine children and is survived by Bill Connors, Bob Connors, Alice Rahill and Pat Wachendorfer.

Her eldest son, Robert, predeceased her. She is survived by four children; Barbara Huntsman (Jay), Tom Douglas (Sandi), Patricia Tilford, Jeanne Douglas; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition, through her second marriage to Willie H. Payne in 1974 she was blessed to have been loved by an extended family.

A quote about her in the 1937 Bayside High School yearbook sums up her life beautifully, "If one would search through all mankind, a sweeter girl you could not find.”

A wake will be held on December 23rd from 4 to 6 PM at Quattlebaum Funeral home; 6411 Parker Ave, West Palm Beach. A mass celebrating her life will be held December 24th at 11AM at St. Juliana Catholic Church.