Obituary: Rita (Tynan) Hassett, 83, of Middletown

From Biega Funeral Home

Rita (Tynan) Hassett, 83, of Middletown, CT beloved wife of Richard W. Hassett, was welcomed into Heaven with open arms on February 21st, 2017. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Middletown, the third oldest of seven daughters to John J. and Winifred (Hurley) Tynan.

A lifelong resident of Middletown, she attended St. John’s School and later graduated from Middletown High, class of 1952. She worked at Connecticut Light and Power in Middletown for 10 years before she devoted her life to raising their six children.

Rita was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. Rita was very active in her teenage years with the Mary’s Young Christophers, and was the organization’s first president. She was a devoted communicant of St. John Church of Middletown, member of their parish council and a member of the board at St. Agnes Home in Wethersfield.

Rita was a passionate volunteer frequently found at the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen and enjoyed bringing cheer and friendship while visiting parishioners at convalescent homes. Rita enjoyed her special gatherings including her Bunko group and Mother’s Circle. Rita was the epitome of a hostess and nothing brought her more joy than entertaining her large circle of family and friends and especially the Hassett-Cameron picnics shared on Highland Avenue.

Besides her husband Richard, Rita is survived by their six children, Kate Sloan and her husband Mark of Glastonbury, Kevin Hassett of Middletown, Maureen Cunningham and her husband Joby of Ivoryton, Patty Hackney and her husband Gene of Stonington, Michael Hassett and his wife Linda of Portland and Erin Hassett and boyfriend John Vereen of Middletown; six sisters, Elizabeth Hurney (the late Robert), Alyce Bogdan (the late Edward), Maureen Witherell, Margaret Mary Doherty (Donald), Patricia Speight (the late Jerome), and Joan Sullivan (James); eleven grandchildren, Meghan, Justin (Emily), Amanda, Kevin (Kelly), Kyle, Sean, Morgan, Taylor, Paige, Liam and Keira; two great grandchildren, Reagan and Patrick, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Friday February 24th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Rd. Middletown. Her Funeral Liturgy will be held on Saturday February 25th at 12 p.m. at St. John Church, 19 St. John Square, Middletown. Burial will be at St. John Cemetery immediately following. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Tynan Scholarship Fund, c/o Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Rd. Middletown, CT 06547, St. John Church Renovation Fund, 19 St. John Square, Middletown, CT 06457 or Xavier High School, 181 Randolph Rd., Middletown, CT 06457. The Hassett family would like to extend a special thanks to the Middlesex Hospital Hospice team for their devoted care.

To leave online condolences, visit Biega Funeral Home here.