Rita Ann Dieck, 86, died at home in Newtown on August 25, with her youngest son at her side.

Born to L. Walter and Isabel Dempsey on November 30, 1933, in New Rochelle, N.Y., Rita was the second of five children. Her siblings, Terry Becker, Mary Lou Foristall, Walter Dempsey, and Lorraine Novellino predeceased her. They were an exceptionally close family, gathering at the piano as their father played and the children sang. Our extended Dempsey family celebrated every holiday and special occasion together.

Rita attended The Ursuline School and went on to attain her Registered Nursing degree from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, where she served as class president.

She married Henry “Harry” Dieck III on September 8, 1956, and in 1960 they moved to Larchmont, N.Y., where they raised seven children and lived until 2000 before retiring to Newtown. Rita was an integral member of the tight knit community in Larchmont. She was a weekly lectern speaker at St Augustine Church, a PTA member for the Chatsworth Avenue School, and an organizer for its annual carnival events and school functions.

Rita and Harry hosted numerous foreign exchange students and children from less privileged home environments. They welcomed several of their natural children’s friends into their home during times of difficulty and Rita served as a community mom to dozens of family friends over their years in Larchmont.

She returned to work as a private care nurse, tending to children and elderly in-home patients, followed by working night shifts at a private care facility for terminally ill infants and young children. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilt-maker, being an active member of quilting groups in Larchmont and Connecticut, including the Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild of Trumbull.

Rita made the most of her retired life in Newtown, embracing the community, building new and lasting friendships, and contributing her time and talents. A member of St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Newtown, she continued her tradition of active participation in the church with the Newtown chapter of the Communion Liberation Movement.

Rita is survived in life by her seven grateful children, Jeanine Fish (Robert), Barbara Zrehigian (Donald), Jere Dieck (Aicha), Thomas Dieck (Christina), Katie Wilmoth (David), Peter Dieck, and James Dieck (Catherine). She leaves 11 loving grandchildren, Carly, Victoria, Sarah, Julien, Hannah, Dylan, Alexander, Cole, Isabel, Nicholas, and Justina.

Formal services will be planned and held at a future time.

In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations in memory of Rita Dieck to St Rose Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470.