Rita M. (Bennett) Richmond

Rita M. (Bennett) Richmond, 94, of Adamsville Road, passed away on Thursday March 16, 2023 at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. She was born in Colrain on August 10, 1928 the daughter of Lawrence and Ella (LaRock) Bennett.

Rita attended Arms Academy a member of the class of 1946. She left after her junior year to work at Kendall Mills in Colrain during WW2. She would later earn her GED in the 1970’s.

Rita married Robert Richmond in 1954 and had two children. She would return to work at Kendall Mills around 1970 and worked there until they closed in 1980. She then worked at the Red Rose Motel, Fuel Assistance Office, and Valley Play School before retirement.

Rita was a member of Saint Joseph Parish in Shelburne Falls and attended Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Colrain. She was a member of the rosary sodality in the 1960’s and a Eucharistic Minister after her retirement.

Rita was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, Robert R. Richmond in 1991 and her sister Elizabeth “Betty” Carpenter in 2014.

Rita is survived by her son Larry Richmond of Colrain, her daughter Darlene Blank of Shelburne Falls, her granddaughters Nicole Gratiano of Saugus, Jennifer Smith of Colrain, Kellie Smith of Colrain, 8 great grandchildren, Joseph, Kayleigh, Anthony, Cody, Alexia, Darren, Dawson, and Alyson, and 5 nieces and nephews.

Rita was a lover of music, loved to sing, watch music shows, she played steel and regular guitar when she was young. Rita and her husband were very active members of the Shelburne Falls Swinging Sweethearts Square Dancers in the 1960’s. Over the years they took many vacations to their favorite spot Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.  Rita attended the Shelburne Falls Senior Center for many years enjoying bingo, Wii bowling, line dancing, choir, and drumming.

Calling hours will be Friday, 3/24, from 6 to 8 pm at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 40 Church St., Shelburne Falls.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, 3/25, at 11:00 am at St. John the Baptist Church in Colrain with Rev. William Lunney, Pastor as Celebrant.

Committal prayers will immediately follow in West Branch Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Colrain Volunteer Ambulance, P.O. Box 37, Colrain, MA. 01340

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