Obituary: Margarita “Rita” (Prifty) Bushka, 90, of Waterbury

Obituary courtesy of Chase Parkway Memorial, the Albini Family Funeral Home

“Matriarch of our Bushka Family”

Margarita “Rita” (Prifty) Bushka, 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 25, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was a devoted wife to her late husband Ed to whom she was married to for 62 years, and will now be reunited with in Heaven.

Rita was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 4, 1931; the oldest child of Charles and Dorothy (Phillips) Prifty. Rita graduated from Post University with a degree in accounting and worked at Gancher & Gancher, CPAs until she met her late husband Ed. She worked side by side with him helping to build Bushka Lumber and then eventually moving and starting a new chapter for the Bushka Family at American Millwork. In addition to helping build the business with her husband, Rita was also a tireless advocate for Albanian immigrants coming to the states, doing paperwork and providing affidavits of support.

Rita enjoyed traveling with her husband, was an avid reader, and was also very active within the Albanian Women's Club and community. In addition to her travels, Rita loved spending time with her five children; Edward Bushka and his wife Tamara (Cipriano) of Watertown, Carolyn “Lynne” Bushka and her partner Michael Angurio of Waterbury, Marianne Bushka of Waterbury, Dianne Bushka Francisco of Waterbury, and Leslie Vega and her husband David of Needham MA. She is also survived by her siblings, William “Billy” Prifty and his wife Janice of East Greenwich, RI and Dr. Robert Prifty and his wife Ruth of Naugatuck. She also leaves behind her nine grandchildren, Madison, Paydon, and Devon Bushka of Watertown, Jason Fusco of Waterbury, Jonathan Fusco and his wife Jessica of Naugatuck, Valerie Francisco of Waterbury & England, Rachel Francisco of NY, NY, and Allison and David Vega of Needham, MA, as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the many doctors and caregivers who shared their love, compassion and professional services for their mother, especially Belki, Felicia, Rita, Sonya, Neive, and Debra.

We were all blessed to have her as a mother, a grandmother, and a friend; whom we will never stop missing and cherishing all the memories and knowledge gained from her. Nothing made her happier than a house full of her family along with an abundance of great food. We will love her forever, and continue to live out her legacy.

Arrangements: A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at Chase Parkway Memorial, the Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury. Burial will follow at New Pine Grove Cemetery in Waterbury. Calling hours will be held Wednesday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made in Margarita’s memory:

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society

By mail:

National MS Society
PO Box #91891
Washington, D.C. 20090

Or online:

www.nationalmssociety.org/Dona...