Obituary for Rita Newman (Coleman)
Frances Rita (Coleman) Newman, 92, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 25, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. Rita was the beloved wife of 64 years to the late George Newman, Sr. She was born in Cranston, RI, daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Coleman. Rita graduated from Cranston High School and later met George, the love of her life. They married on August 6, 1949 and moved to Connecticut, raising their four children in Enfield. Rita worked for Pratt & Whitney and St. Bernard’s School prior to being a homemaker and later worked and retired from Olympic Sales. Rita was loved by all who knew her; family, friends and co-workers. She was the stay-at-home mom who planned family events and looked after the neighborhood kids. She had a smile and kind word for everyone and asked very little for herself. Rita will be sadly missed.
Rita is survived by her son, George Newman, Jr. and his wife, Jeannie; her daughter, Mary Beth Lamagna and her husband, Rob; son Donald Newman, all of Enfield; and her son Gary Newman of Westfield, NJ. She leaves her grandchildren, Robert Lamagna, Jr., Michael Lamagna, Justin, Rachel and Rebecca Newman; and her step-granddaughter, Lucinda Smith. She also leaves her sister, Catherine Powers of Smithfield, RI and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Besides her parents, Rita was predeceased by her brother Thomas Coleman, sisters Jeanne Stamp and Elizabeth Harvey, brothers-in-law Edward Powers, Martin Stamp and William Harvey; sister-in-law Catherine Coleman and her nephew, Robert Harvey. Our special thanks to Nadia, Larisa and Nadia, her home caregivers for the past year who were so loving and compassionate to Rita.
Calling hours are Friday, January 31, 2020 at Browne Memorial Chapels, 43 Shaker Road, Enfield, CT from 3 to 7 pm. The funeral will be held on Saturday February 1, 2020, 9 am at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Bernard Church, 426 Hazard Ave. Enfield, CT. Burial will take place in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Enfield. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Rita is survived by her son, George Newman, Jr. and his wife, Jeannie; her daughter, Mary Beth Lamagna and her husband, Rob; son Donald Newman, all of Enfield; and her son Gary Newman of Westfield, NJ. She leaves her grandchildren, Robert Lamagna, Jr., Michael Lamagna, Justin, Rachel and Rebecca Newman; and her step-granddaughter, Lucinda Smith. She also leaves her sister, Catherine Powers of Smithfield, RI and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Besides her parents, Rita was predeceased by her brother Thomas Coleman, sisters Jeanne Stamp and Elizabeth Harvey, brothers-in-law Edward Powers, Martin Stamp and William Harvey; sister-in-law Catherine Coleman and her nephew, Robert Harvey. Our special thanks to Nadia, Larisa and Nadia, her home caregivers for the past year who were so loving and compassionate to Rita.
Calling hours are Friday, January 31, 2020 at Browne Memorial Chapels, 43 Shaker Road, Enfield, CT from 3 to 7 pm. The funeral will be held on Saturday February 1, 2020, 9 am at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Bernard Church, 426 Hazard Ave. Enfield, CT. Burial will take place in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Enfield. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.