Obituary: Rita M. (Guertin) Francis, 79, Lifelong Danbury Resident

Information and Photo Courtesy Cornell Memorial Home

DANBURY, CT — Rita M. (Guertin) Francis, 79, a lifelong resident of Danbury and beloved wife of Jack Francis, died peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born on Feb. 9, 1944, daughter of the late Victor and Anne (LaJoie) Guertin. She was a graduate of Danbury High School, Class of 1962.

Rita was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She worked as a purchasing agent for GAR Electroforming for many years.

Rita possessed a warm, welcoming personality. She was known as a favorite aunt to many nieces and nephews, and was motherly to all of her children’s friends. She enjoyed many family vacations with her children and grandchildren.

You rarely saw Rita without Jack by her side. They were married on Jan. 26, 1963. Rita and Jack had the epitome of a perfect marriage. Together, they were a team couple for Marriage Encounter. They loved to dance, play cards, and watch TV as they held hands. They liked to take trips to Atlantic City. They were regular exercise participants at Nuvance Health and were frequently seen at many of their favorite restaurants. They were parishioners of St. Gregory the Great Church, where they married and later renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary.

In addition to her cherished husband of 60 and a half years, Jack, she will be missed by her children, Dean Francis and Janine Caffrey and her husband, Chip; her grandchildren, Morgan, Taylor, and Alyssa Caffrey; her siblings, Pauline Almgren (Rolf), Arthur Guertin (Sharon), and Roger Guertin (Carol). She is also survived by in-laws, Stanley Britton, Sr, and Victor Francis (Marge); and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son, Steven Francis; and siblings, Gilbert Guertin (Theresa), Lorraine DePaolis (Frank), Marthe Gay (Donald), and Cecile Britton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 6th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church, Danbury. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, on Tuesday, Sept. 5 between the hours of 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions in her memory may be made to Accent Care, 1579 Straights Turnpike, Middlebury CT 06762.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the nurses, aides, and staff of Accent Care for their loving and compassionate care.