Rita L. (Lussier) Hawkins

Rita Lussier Hawkins passed into eternal peace on Saturday, December 17, 2016. She was a resident of Manchester and formerly of Mansfield, Chaplin, Columbia, Newington, Berlin, Ruskin, FL and Palmetto, FL. Born December 13, 1919 she is the daughter of the late Emile and Eva Lussier. Rita, who celebrated her 97th birthday last week with her family by her side, is now reunited with the love of her life, Willis C. ?Bill? Hawkins, her husband of 63 years who passed away on August 15, 2000. Rita met Bill when she was 16 years old and they were married in 1937. Rita?s loving and devoted family were her pride and joy. Affectionately known as Grammy, GG Rita and Nana, she was the matriarch of four generations of a large, loving and close knit family. She is one of the last Hawkins from the ?Greatest Generation? a family that has been a part of the fabric of the Mansfield community for close to 100 years. She demonstrated the greatest qualities of how to be a wife, mother, grandmother, friend and confidant and was the mainstay of our family. She taught her family strength and resilience with a loving hand. Rita enjoyed spending time with her family at holiday gatherings and loved visits from her great -grandchildren. She enjoyed celebrating their accomplishments and encouraged, and took pride in their unique talents. She was an avid reader who enjoyed sharing a good book and debating current affairs. Rita?s favorite color was purple and she was well-known for her homemade date nut bread; a recipe passed down for generations. She will be greatly missed and forever loved by her family. Rita leaves behind her three sons and their spouses, Willis C. Hawkins, Jr. and his wife Barbara, of Middletown, Richard W. Hawkins and his wife, Dicksey of Sarasota, FL and Thomas A. Hawkins and his wife, Donna of Woodstock, CT. In addition to her children, she leaves nine grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Willis C. Hawkins III and his wife, Susanne of Middletown, Jeanne M. McNeff and her husband, Thomas of Cromwell, Michael D. Hawkins and his wife, Colleen of Stratford, Lynn A. Higgs and her husband, Thomas of Middletown, Kerry H. Prado and her husband, Dennis of Lincolnshire, IL, David A. Hawkins and his wife, Carla of Glastonbury, Tracy A. Hawkins of Bedford, NH, Victoria A. Hawkins of Oakland, CA, and Karen J. LaGosh and her husband Tim of Burlington. Her great-grandchildren are: Jenny Hawkins, Thomas, Cara and Caitlin McNeff, Matthew and Brendan Hawkins, Jack, Spencer, Victoria and William Higgs, Alexandra, Hannah, and Ella Prado, Kelsey, Michael and Isabel Hawkins, Emma and Nathaniel Hunt, Lula Hawkins, and Maia and Ben LaGosh. Rita also leaves behind her beloved sister Faye Buell, and brother and sister-in-law Winston and Norma Hawkins and sister-in-law Louise Hawkins. She was predeceased by her siblings Theresa Shirshac, Roland and Fernand Lussier, her in-laws Harold and Minnie Hawkins, sisters-in-law, Amy Inman, Dorothy Bailey, and Virginia Bolduc, and brothers-in law Harold Jr., Leland, Winthrop, and Albert Hawkins all of Mansfield Center. Friends may call at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte.195) Willimantic, Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 11:00 am. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon at St. Mary Catholic Church, 46 Valley St. Willimantic. Burial will follow in the family plot in Mansfield Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vernon VNA Hospice; 8 Keynote Drive, Vernon, CT 06066.Charitable donations may be made to:Vernon VNA Hospice8 Keynote Drive, Vernon CT 06066Tel: 1-860-872-9163