"There?s aTime to go and let go With a heavy heart ,we say good bye to the wife, mother,grandmother,sister and aunt, Rita. We?ll always remember her when we gather together. In 1968 after serving in the Air Force Ray brought his new wife home to Rhode Island from South Dakota. It was my first time meeting Rita that day. I was just getting home from school getting ready to get off the bus and I could see the brightness of her red hair from about a 1/4 mile away! I was 7 at the time and thrilled to have a sister! I spent a lot of time with Rita as I was growing up especially when Luis and David came along. I learned a lot about taking care of children from her. I?ll always be great full that she was willing to teach me what she knew. Rita adored my mother And my mother took her under her wing and helped her fit into her crazy new family so far from home. Rita loved Ray with all she had for almost 54 years. Through all of life?s ups and downs their marriage and love never wavered. They were each other?s right hand. She adored being Mrs Perry. Rita loved her son?s Luis and David beyond what words can express and when grandchildren came along, Rita was over the moon in love with her family. When my mother died I was just 14 and Rita was a shoulder to lean on. She helped me navigate being in charge of running the house while my dad was still working. She helped me with figuring out how to do laundry and getting dinner ready. Not just a teacher but a big sister who readily wrote notes signed as Mrs Perry to excuse me for getting to school late more often than not. And agreeing to chaperone my 16th birthday party with ray and the boys hidden away in a bedroom letting me get a little rowdy with my friends. Rita?s passing was unexpected despite her being ill for some time. I know You?re never ready to say goodbye no matter how much time we get with our loved ones. Rest In Peace Love you, Sis. "
In loving memory of
Rita J. Perry
July 24, 1948 - January 17, 2022
On January 17, 2022, Mrs. Rita Perry, age 73, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away.
Rita was born in Des Moines, IA to Howard and Marjorie Hall. Rita married Raymond Perry of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Rita lived a full life as a wonderful mother, homemaker and she especially loved her role as a grandmother.
Rita is survived by her husband, Raymond Perry, Her children, Luis and David Perry, her sister, Patricia Freeman and her grandchildren, Hannah, Julia, Noah, Bryson and Zoe.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Marjorie (Gear) Hall.
Calling hours will be held Friday, January 21, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Rd., Portsmouth.
Services for Mrs. Rita Perry will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Connors Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Newport Memorial Park at 123 Howland Ave., Middletown.
The world will be a little duller without her bright smile and giving heart. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rita's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, stjude.org/donate