Rita A. Ward, 93, of Waitsfield, passed away on February 11, 2011, at
Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin, VT, where she had resided for many
years. Rita Abrahamson was born December 18, 1917, in Jamestown, NY, the
only child of Charles Abrahamson and Maude (Lesperance) Abrahamson. She
graduated from Jamestown High School.
In 1944, she married Merrill J. Campbell and moved to Orchard Park, NY, where their daughter Constance was born.
Mrs. Campbell was active in real estate sales, the United Way of western
NY and the Buffalo General Hospital Auxiliary. She loved to travel and
was an avid reader and always enjoyed a good party.
The Campbell's retired to Whitingham, VT, in 1966. Mr. Campbell died in
1967. In 1969, Rita married Richard H. McKee in Amherst, NY, and they
enjoyed 20 years together, eventually retiring to Meadow Wood in
Whitingham with Mr. McKee's daughter, Vanessa McKee Corse. Mr. McKee
passed in 1989.
In January 1990, Rita married Alan M. Ward and joined him at home in
Greenwich, CT. After Mr. Ward's death, she moved to Waitsfield, VT, to
be near her family. She resided at Evergreen Place for three years after
which an injury required her to move to Woodridge Nursing Home. Rita's
family would like to thank the staff at Woodridge for the wonderful care
afforded Rita during her seven years there.
She is survived by her daughter Constance (M. Richard) Jamieson, of Park
City, Utah, and North Hero, VT, and stepdaughter Vanessa McKee Corse
(Roy C.) of Whitingham, stepsons Richard McKee and Robert McKee,
grandson Jonathan M. Jamieson and wife Amy of Waitsfield, granddaughter
Krissa J. Hammond and husband Jonathan of Waitsfield, and
great-grandchildren Isabel and Anna Jamieson and Eli and Oliver Hammond.
She was predeceased by a stepson, James W. Campbell.
A Service of Remembrance will be held in Waitsfield at a later date.
Gifts in her memory may be made to the Waitsfield United Church of
Christ, P.O. Box 16, Waitsfield, VT 05673. To send online condolences
please visit www.perkinsparker.com.
