Worcester/ Fort Myers, FL- Rita M. (Hamilton) Sweet, of Worcester and Fort Myers, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday October 17, 2015 at the Page Rehabilitation and Health Care Center of Fort Myers, Florida.
Her husband, William H. Sweet predeceased her on September 23, 2014. They had recently celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary together.
The daughter of Jeremiah and Julia Hamilton, Rita was born in Worcester on April 10, 1930 and lived here most of her life. She graduated from the former Grafton St. Junior High School and Commerce High School in Worcester.
She leaves eight children; Patricia Farrell of Fort Myers, FL., Kathryn Tamalavitch and her husband Richard of Worcester, William M. Sweet of West Brookfield, Robert Sweet of Boynton Beach, FL., Carol Sweet of Boynton Beach, FL., Steven Sweet and his wife Marie of Worcester, Maureen McCann and her husband Jack of West Brookfield, Debra Ritchotte and her husband Gary of Fort Myers, FL.
She also leaves eleven grandchildren, Laura and Michael Farrell, Megan and Richard Tamalavitch II, Erin and Patrick Sweet, Jason, Shawn and Jessica McCann, Sara Ritchotte-Biszantz and Steven Ritchotte.
She also leaves behind ten great grandchildren.
Rita came from a family of five children. Three brothers, Jerry, James and Thomas Hamilton predeceased her. She leaves a brother, Joseph Hamilton of Worcester.
Rita was a stay at home mom while her children were young and later worked as a cashier for Honey Farms for fourteen years. Following her retirement, she moved to Florida with her husband.
She was a life-long member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians ladies Auxiliary and served as its President for two years. She loved to knit, crochet and sew, but her favorite activity was traveling with her husband and vacationing with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Rita will be sadly missed by her family and friends and many people who have been touched by her life.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday October 23, from 5 until 8pm at the Callahan-Fay-Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. A funeral mass is to be celebrated on Saturday October 24, at 10am at St. Stephen’s Church, 357 Grafton St., Worcester. Burial is to follow at St. John’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311