Rita Katherine Eaton

Rita Katherine (Bergin) Eaton, age 86, of Stratford, widow of Harry J. Eaton, died September 12 at Bridgeport Hospital.

Survivors include two sons, Thomas J. Eaton and his wife, Elizabeth, of the Sandy Hook section of Newtown, and Paul W. Eaton and his wife, Kathleen, of Clinton; one daughter, Mary E. Smith and her husband, Garry, of Stratford; 12 grandchildren: Gary Eaton, Kristen Werden, Karen Hensel, Joseph Rogers, Jamie Annes, Mary Glisson, Chad Eaton, Shane Eaton, Michael Eaton, Jennifer Oloski, Brian Smith, and Courtney Smith; 11 great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Delaney, Kyle, Jordan, Brandon, Christopher, Stephanie, Donovan, Jonathan, Tucker, and Nicholas; a daughter-in-law, Ruth Eaton of Newtown; a sister-in-law, Genevieve Bergin of Florida; three nieces, Lindy Conroe, Kathy Morton, and Laurie Marino. She was predeceased by her son, Jack E. Eaton; and a brother Joseph E. Bergin.

Born in New Haven, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Katherine Delaney Bergin. She was a secretary for Tilo Company for 15 years, retiring in 1974. She was a 60-year member of St James Church and was a member of many organizations throughout her faithful service to the church. She was also a member of the Baldwin Center.

A funeral with a Mass of Christian Burial was held September 15 at St James Church, Stratford. Interment followed in St Michael Cemetery. Donations in her memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Suite 159, Wilton, CT 06897.

The Newtown Bee     September 19, 2003