Rita V. Wood

Rita (Vesce) Wood, age 90, of Stafford Springs, formerly of Enfield, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, December 4, 2016. Born in Boston, MA, April 1, 1926, Rita was the daughter of the late John and Madalena (Giordano) Vesce. She attended schools in Enfield and graduated in 1944. She was the widow of beloved husband William R. Wood, who died February 8, 1994, after 48 years of marriage. Prior to her marriage in 1946, Rita was employed by the Army Corps of Engineers at the Bradley Field Air Base in Windsor Locks. She was employed by the Town of Stafford for 15 years as Secretary to the First Selectman, where she also assumed duties as Welfare Director and Agent for the Elderly, and instituted senior discounts for Stafford citizens. She was appointed as the town’s Bicentennial Commission Chairman in 1976 and was instrumental in planning and organizing the town wide celebration and the naming of Heritage Park. She simultaneously held the position of Recording Secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission. She was a member of the Borough and Town Consolidation Committee and Chairman of the Town’s Beautification Committee. Rita was also employed by Hamilton Standard in Space and Sea Systems as Secretary in the Quality Control Department and retired in 1988 to become a real estate agent. Rita had many hobbies and enjoyed raising and grooming her toy and miniature poodles, greenhouse gardening, oil painting, sewing, doll collecting and making bisque antique reproduction dolls. She was a long time member and secretary of the Connecticut Property Owners Association (CPOA), a long time member of the Greater Enfield Landlord Association (GELA), where she served as Secretary/Treasurer, member of the Attic Treasures Doll Club, and the Tobacco Valley Art Association. She was predeceased by an infant grandson, Adam Wood; and brother, John Vesce, Jr. Rita is survived by her companion, John Williams; daughter, Debra Lake of Hampden, MA; three sons and daughters-in-law all of Stafford: James and Wendy Wood, Roger and Kim Wood, and David and Colleen Wood; ten grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Mattesen of East Windsor; sister-in-law, Shirley Vesce of Enfield; brother, Richard Vesce and sister-in-law Beverly of East Hampton; and many nieces and nephews. Diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure in 2005 did not prevent Rita from pursuing an active and full life oblivious to her condition until hospitalized November, 2015. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016 from 1:30 – 3:30 P.M. with a prayer service to take place at 3:30 P.M. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial will follow in St. Edward Cemetery, Stafford Springs, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com