Obituary: Rita Vigilante Hooper, 91, of Fairfield

Rita Vigilante Hooper, 91, of Westport and Fairfield, the loving wife of the late Raymond Lee Hooper for over 61 years, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 28, 2017.

Rita is survived by her three children; Jeffrey Dane Hooper and his partner, Patricia Moseley, of Hamilton, MA, Debra Hooper Fisher of Westport, and Michael Bradford Hooper and his wife, Jill of Fairfield; her grandchildren, Kimberly Fisher Warren and her husband Michael G. Warren, Emily Catherine Hooper, and Jane Elizabeth Hooper, and a great grandchild, Raymond Warren.

Rita was born in 1925 to the late Michael and Rose Vigilante; grew up in Westport and graduated from Staples High School. She attended the University of Connecticut before meeting her future husband Raymond on Martha’s Vineyard. They were married in 1948 and moved to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil where they lived for 7 years before returning to Westport.

In her earlier years, Rita served as Society Editor for the Westport Town Crier and at Columbia University in NYC. In her later years, Rita was an active member of the Town of Westport spending years working for the Town in various capacities. She worked for the Town Clerk’s office and was an elected official of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Rita also ran in a primary for 1st Selectman of Westport.

Rita loved traveling, gardening, playing bridge, living at the beach, and spending time with relatives and friends.

The family will be having a private service to celebrate her life. A very special thank you to Robert Sohmer, Home Care Assistance, especially Chardae & Sherrie and Visiting Nurse and Hospice, Paul Cahill, and Arthur Alexander for their loving care and support.

To send an online condolence, please visit www.shaughnesseybanks.com.