Rita Hackney Steiner

Beloved By All

Who Knew Her

Rita Hackney Steiner of Sandy Hook died from complications due to cancer, December 2. She was born September 4, 1941, in Atlantic City, N.J.

Ms Steiner held a BA in fashion design from Moore Institute of Art in Philadelphia, a BA in education from Ohio State, and an MFA from Western Connecticut State University. She was a longtime art teacher at Fawn Hollow Elementary School in Monroe. Her innovative programs won accolades in Connecticut’s Celebration of Excellence program. Ms Steiner made sure that children’s art decorated the walls of Fawn Hollow, and she readily volunteered to do design work and art for school programs. She worked with Priscilla Bullard and Nancy Garofolo on science programs for children. She was considered a master teacher, and taught her methods in an apprentice program for new teachers. She taught Chinese brush painting and other art techniques at the Senior Center in Newtown.

In recent years, Ms Steiner traveled extensively. Her favorite place was Venice. She loved watching balloons sailing through the skies, and finally floated with her sister over Albuquerque, N.M., in a hot air balloon. She enjoyed camping and fishing, and helped her grandchildren learn a variety of arts. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Her companion of 38 years, Robert Haavind; her son, Chet Steiner of McLean, Va.; three grandchildren; her daughter-in-law; a sister, Joyce Grohman of Pomona, N.J.; and her former husband, Don Steiner of Boston, survive Ms Steiner.

A celebration of her life is planned at Honan Funeral Home, Newtown, Saturday, December 12, from 1 to 3 pm. The family request that in lieu of sending flowers, that flowers be planted this spring in her memory.

To leave an online condolence go to www.honanfh.com.

The Newtown Bee       December 11, 2009