SOUTHWICK—Rita B. (Benoit) Halla, 1924-2015, 90, formerly of Granville Rd. Southwick for 53 years, and most recently of Westfield, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2015. Born in Chicopee, MA, Rita was the daughter of the late Joseph and Victerine Benoit.
Rita was employed for 25 years as a sales associate at Andrew Grant Jewelers of Westfield until her retirement in 2008. She was a communicant and a “founding sister” of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Southwick. Rita was an avid golfer and an active member of the Westfield YMCA, and was a regular volunteer at West Fest at Stanley Park in Westfield.
She is survived by three sons, James P. Halla of Ocean Isle, NC, David J. Halla and his wife Sylvia of Norfolk, VA, and Robert M. Halla and his wife Beth of Whately, MA, a sister Lucille Gintowt of Westfield, MA, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Etienne J. Halla in 1991, a brother Gerald Benoit and a sister Jacqueline Plaice.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 10th, 2015 at 9:00AM from the Southwick-Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick, MA, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Sheep Pasture Rd., Southwick, MA. Burial in New Cemetery will be in the spring. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Friday, Jan. 9th from 4:00-7:00 PM
Memorial contributions may be made to Noble Hospice, Westfield, Ma.
