Greenfield - Rita Mary (DesRosiers) Bassett, 93, of Summer Street passed away peacefully at home in the company of her loved ones on Wednesday, 7/13/2016.  She was born in Holyoke on September 23,1922, the daughter of Francis and Cecile (Palmer) DesRosiers.

 

After the family moved to Gill, Rita attended schools in Turners Falls, MA.

 

Rita worked at the Greenfield Tap & Die for several years. It was there that she met her future husband, Douglas. They were wed on July 29, 1944. Douglas joined the Service where he served as an Aviation Radioman for the US Navy during World War II.  He was stationed in Florida and Rita joined him there.  They enjoyed their time together, off and on between his trips to South America.  When the war was over, they moved back to MA and settled in Greenfield. Rita and Douglas were married for 70 years until Douglas died in 2014. They had 9 children together.

 

When the children were in school, Rita worked part-time as a bookkeeper for Donovan’s Electric Company in 1969.  After the business closed, she worked for 15 years, part-time in retail, for Wilson’s Department Store.

 

Among her survivors, Rita leaves behind eight children; David of Greenfield, Marilyn Kuzmeskus of Deerfield, Donald of Leyden, Susan of Greenfield, Pamela of Feeding Hills, Michael of Montague, James of Bernardston and Robert of Montague.

 

She also leaves behind a sister, Lois Guilbeault of Turners Falls, 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and friends.

 

Rita was predeceased by her husband, Douglas, her daughter, Patricia, her sisters Regina, Clemance, Leona, Claire and brother, Frances.

 

Rita loved to read and tend her flower gardens. She took pleasure in feeding and watching birds. Rita loved swimming and enjoyed teaching her children and grandchildren to swim. She loved traveling with her family and she spent many winters in Florida with her beloved husband.
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We, her family, will always cherish her soft-spoken, gentle, wise and unpretentious ways.  She was the wind beneath our wings.

 

A memorial service will be held on September 18 at 3:00 pm at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal Street, Greenfield, MA. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours.

 

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301

 

Sympathy message available at www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.