Avis de décès de Rita-C. Keefe - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

BURLINGTON - Rita Claire Keefe, 88, of Pearl Street, formerly of Champlain, New York, passed away Monday, April 6, 2015, at The University of Vermont Medical Center. Born Nov. 3, 1926, in Barre, she was the daughter of Edward Michael and Mary Elizabeth (Jordan) Keefe. Rita attended local schools, graduating from Spaulding High School in 1944 and the University of Vermont in 1948. Rita taught for 21 years in the Burlington school system, primarily first grade and kindergarten, and retired from Flynn Elementary School in 1969. She then worked at Kelly Pharmacy in Burlington and Allan Milne Pharmacy in Barre. In 1975, she returned to teaching and taught for another 17 years at St. Mary's Academy in Champlain, New York. She was an outstanding teacher, and many parents put their children on a waiting list for her class as soon as they were born. She was known for the crafts she did with the children and for the songs and skits her students performed for their parents four times a year. On Halloween, Rita would have over 100 visitors since all of her students wanted to go to Miss Keefe's house. Rita was also in charge of roller-skating at the school and was the head money counter of the annual bazaar, which would gross over $45,000. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She was known for sending cards to all her great-nieces and -nephews on the holidays, always including a dollar. She loved children and spent hours playing with her nieces and nephews, often taking them to the movies, the park, out for ice cream or for a ride on the ferry. PIG and Shoo-shah-no were favorite games. Rita also enjoyed crocheting and made afghans for many family members. Rita was a talented musician playing the piano, flute and bass drum, and she played the pipe organ at St. Mary's Church at the Saturday evening Mass. She often played the piano for singalongs with her family. Her sister Pat has fond memories of performing with Rita in a minstrel show at the Thayer School. She traveled to Ogunquit, Maine, every summer with her sister Theresa and traveled to Denver to visit her sister Pat. A highlight in her life was her trip to Ireland with her two Irish sisters. Survivors include her sister Patricia Vanecek, of Burlington; her brother-in-law, Ernest Bancroft, of Barre; and her nieces and nephews Michael Keefe, Kevin Keefe, Kathy Ryan, Thomas O'Keefe, Molly Keefe, Deborah Balserus, Mary Ellen Natusch, Susan Vanecek and William Vanecek; along with many great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her twin brother, Francis Keefe; her sister Theresa Bancroft; and her nephews Gregory Keefe, Skip Bancroft and Patrick Keefe. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, on Friday, April 10, 2015, from 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial for Rita will be celebrated on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at 11 a.m. in St. Monica Catholic Church at 79 Summer St. in Barre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Vermont Catholic School, 79 Summer St., Barre, VT 05641. For a memorial guest book visit www.hookerwhitcomb.com.