Rita Claire (Rectenwald) Atspins

Rita Claire Atspins, 99, of Hebron, joined her late husband, Alphonse J. Atspins, in Heaven on the morning of Saturday, January 22, 2022. Born March 11, 1922 in Pittsburg, PA; she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Clara (Schober) Rectenwald. Rita met the love of her life, AL Atspins at Fort Devens, MA while they were both serving in the Army during WWII. Rita was a 1st Lieutenant Army Nurse stationed in Europe. She is a recipient of the American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Rita and Alphonse would marry in 1946, and were inseparable for 75 years. After the war, Al and Rita settled in East Hartford, CT where they raised their family and lived for 35 years. They retired to Maine, Florida and later Hebron. Rita was a devoted wife and mother as well as a devout member of Saint Andrews Roman Catholic Church. She was an RN at Hartford Hospital for 33 years. Rita enjoyed having her family at the lake house in Maine for their summer vacations. She was known for being an avid shopper, she was never one to pass up a sale and she always bought in bulk. It gave her joy to distribute those items to those in need. She will be sadly missed but always remembered with love by her children Carol Marchigiano and her partner, Bill Grabek of Colchester, Judith Petrofsky of Lebanon; grandchildren, Kristi Corporan of NC, Aaron Tupper and his wife Suzanne of Hebron, Jason Tupper and his wife Bree of Colchester and Bethany Petrofsky of VA; great grandchildren, Richard, Rebecca, Joshua, Dennis, Justin, Tyler, Zoey, Zachary and Sarah; great great grandchildren, Isabella, Madelyn, and Dillon; and numerous extended family members and friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sons in law John Petrofsky and Dennis Tupper. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 10 AM directly at the St. Andrew Church 128 Norwich Avenue Colchester, with full military honors following. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made in Rita’s memory to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, at www.glaucoma.org For online condolences please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com

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