Rita C. Ruzansky, 88 years of age, of West Hartford, died peacefully on Sunday, November 2, surrounded by her daughters. Rita was born in Hartford to the late William and Ann (Hurwitz) Neporent. Rita graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in dental hygiene. In this capacity she worked for the Simsbury School system; University of Connecticut Dental School doing prenatal dental research; Newington Children’s Hospital special dental hygiene program for Down Syndrome children while also raising her three daughters. For several years she was active in the Morley Elementary school PTA, the town of West Hartford Republican town committee, and tirelessly helped numerous candidates with their election campaigns. Throughout the 90s she worked at the family business in Hartford, Capitol Candy Company. Rita was a member of Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek in Chester and Temple Beth Shalom in Vero Beach.

To say that Rita was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother and friend would be an understatement. She had a huge capacity for love and compassion, was a champion of the underdog and those less fortunate. She lived with grace and integrity, treading lightly on this earth but leaving an indelible impression on every one she came in contact with. She felt grateful and humbled by the life she was given.

Rita leaves behind her three daughters, Andrea Gordon and her husband Gary Granger of Avon, Susan Bush and her husband Thomas of Canton, and Barbara Ruzansky and her partner Peter Meadow of Lyme, four grandchildren, William Gordon, Katie Oleyer, and her husband Michael, Russell Bush and his wife Jenna, Lisa Bush, and her two little great grandchildren, Mason Bush and Grace Oleyer. She also leaves behind her devoted care givers Thylda Campbell and Naomi French.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 5, 204 at 12:00 noon in the Chapel of Weinstein Mortuary, 6540 Farmington Avenue, Hartford. Rabbi Dena Shaffer will be officiating. Interment will follow in the Jonathan Welfare Society, Tower Avenue, Hartford. The family is sitting Shiva at the home of Andrea Gordon, 25 Sheffield Lane, Avon immediately after the interment from 2:00 to 7:00 and then again on Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to WHY Outreach, a non-profit organization, bringing benefits of yoga and other holistic modalities to all communities regardless of geographic, financial, social, or other barriers. To make a donation go to:www.whyoutreach.org

For further information, directions or to sign the guest book for Rita, please visit on line at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.