Rita Connolly Lehto
November 4, 1951 ~ June 22, 2023
Born in:
New Haven, CT
Resided in:
Westbrook, CT
Rita Connolly Lehto, 71, of Westbrook, CT and Estero, FL, passed peacefully with her family after a short illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Alan Lehto. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Pauline Connolly, and brother, David Connolly, and was the close sister to Vilma Roetting Cook and Francis Connolly and his wife Terri. Rita was also the sister-in-law to Lori Kennedy (Keith), Patricia Prudhomme (David) and Bill Lehto, all from Michigan. Rita leaves 13 nieces and nephews, and 12 great-nieces and nephews.
Prior to graduating from college, Rita attended the original Woodstock festival in New York with many Lanphiers’ Cove friends. She attended Dean Jr. College and Arizona State University, receiving a BA in Secondary Education/Biology and a BS in nursing. She subsequently obtained a MS degree at the University of Texas.
Rita taught nursing at Ona M. Wilcox School of Nursing in Middletown, was a Nurse Consultant with the State of Connecticut Department of Health, Vice President of both the Omnicare Pharmacy and the Medicine Center Pharmacy, and Regional Director of Regulatory and Educational Services with Neighborcare Pharmacy.
An avid boater, she was proficient in both power and sail boats. Her father gave her her first boat when the family summered in Lanphiers’ Cove in Branford. She eventually obtained a 100 Ton USCG Captain’s license. Her boating adventures took her to Florida, the Bahamas, Antigua, Barbuda, the British and American Virgin Islands, and voyages from Maine to the Chesapeake, Belize and almost all of the other Caribbean waters.
Rita had a passion for travel, visiting five of the world’s seven continents. These adventures included Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, England, Scotland, Canada, Panama Canal, Belize, Cancun, Mazalton (Mexico), Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Turkey. She also undertook an extended trip with her sister Vilma to China. Her crown jewel however, and where she emptied her bucket list, was a tour to Egypt in December 2022. She made a point to visit 49 of the 50 states, only missing Hawaii.
Her travel adventures helped her find the best MargaRITA (Bill’s Seafood, Westbrook), best Pina Colada (Bitter End Yacht Club, BVI), best Mudslides (The Oar, Block Island), and best pizza (Tollis, East Haven).
She was a board member of several professional and social clubs, past Commodore (twice) of the Shoreline Sailing Club and the founding mother of the South Florida Sailors and Boaters. She also served on the Board and was president of the Hammock Point Homeowners Association in Westbrook, CT.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 27, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Margaret Church, 24 Academy Rd., Madison, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shoreline Sailing Club, 142 Seaside Ave., Westbrook, CT 06498, or to Dean College (Class of ’71), 99 Main St., Franklin, MA, 02038. Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT is in care of arrangements.
Services
Mass of Christian Burial: July 27, 2023 10:00 am
St. Margaret Church
24 Academy Street
Madison, CT 06443
203-245-7301
I’m so, so sorry to hear of Rita’s death. So glad to have met her. She lived big 🙂 I remember her Egypt trip and so many others. Good for her! Much love to all who know and love her. WIshing you peace.