Rita M. Wallis 1922-2014Westfield- Rita M. (Hicks) Wallis,92, passed away Sunday July 27, 2014 in a local nursing home. Born May 22, 1922 in Churubusco, NY, she was the daughter of the late George and Anna (Lacount) Hicks.
Rita graduated from St Michael’s High School in Northampton and the Northampton Commercial College. She has been a resident of Westfield since 1951. Rita was an office clerk for United Elastic in Easthampton and the former Steiger’s store in Westfield. She was a communicant of St Mary’s Church where she was a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary and a member of the St Mary’s Altar-guild. Rita was an accomplished dressmaker and seamstress.
She was predeceased by her husband, William C Wallis, in January of 2014; her 6 brothers, Harold, Howard, Floyd, George, Leonard, and Gerald; and by her 3 sisters, Marian, Bessie, and Ethel. Rita leaves 2 sons, Reverend William H. Wallis of Westfield and Christopher C. Wallis of Westfield, along with many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at both Genesis Healthcare and the Arbors for their fine care of Rita. Her funeral will take place on Friday August 1, 2014 at 9:30 am from the Robert E Cusack Funeral Home, 94 Main St (Rt 20) with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St Mary’s Church, Bartlett St. Burial will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery. All are in Westfield. Calling hours are Thursday from 3-5 pm and 6-8pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St Mary’s Development Fund, 86 Mechanic St, Westfield, MA 01085 or to Western MA Alzheimer’s Association, 264 Cottage St, Springfield, MA 01104
