WESTFIELD – Patricia “Rita” (O’Brien) Goodniss, 89, died Wednesday, January 9, 2013 in a local nursing home. She was born in Westfield on September 11, 1923 to the late William and Elizabeth (Merkel) O’ Brien.
She was a lifelong resident of Westfield attending local schools and was a 1941 graduate of Westfield High School. She attended Mercy Nursing School where she received her Nursing Degree. She was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and served in a Military Hospital in Boston. After the Army she was a private duty Nurse and worked for Dr. Gillis. Rita was a nursing supervisor at the Former Valley View Nursing Home. She was also an R.N. for Noble Hospital and retired in 1981. Rita raised Bassett Hounds for many years and enjoyed traveling in her motor home with her husband. She was an avid fan and spectator at all her grandchildren’s games and was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.
She was predeceased by her husband, George E. “Whitey” Goodniss on August 17, 2005. Rita leaves her son, George W. Goodniss and his wife Nancy; her daughter, Patricia M. Pac and her husband Joseph all of Westfield. She also leaves her grandchildren, Andrew Pac and his fiancé Claire Rae, Benjamin Pac and his wife Lisa, Matthew, Bevin and Kara Goodniss. She was predeceased by her siblings William L. O’Brien, Marjorie Shea and Muriel McGinn.
The funeral for Rita will be held on Tuesday, January 15th at 11:00 a.m. from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. Burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home before the service on Tuesday morning from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Donations in memory of Rita may be made to the Westfield Fire Dept. Safe Program, 34 Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085.
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