Obituary for Rita J. Smith (Stowell)
TROY Rita J. Smith, 61, of O Street passed away Tuesday February 16, 2021 at Samaritan Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Born in Troy she was the daughter of the late Melvin and Carolyn Parker Stowell and was a 1977 graduate of Lansingburgh High School.
Rita had been employed for several years by Cumberland Farms and had worked in several of their stores in the Capital District. Most recently she was a loving caregiver for many children. She was very artistic and enjoyed drawing. A conversationalist she was always ready to offer unsolicited advice. A trait she readily admitted. She was an animal lover and had many cats and several dogs over the years.
Survivors include her son Ryan Smith of Mechanicville, her daughter Kari Merritt (Gary) of Scotia and her bonus daughter and niece Heather Worthington of Clifton Park. She is the sister of Denise Worthington of Waterford, William and Dennis Stowell of Troy. She is the proud grandmother of Gary Merritt III and Maximus Merritt as well as bonus grandchildren, Brody and Corbin Hunter. Also surviving is her longtime companion Richard Smith of Troy, her great aunt Marcia Chalifoux of Troy as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2 pm at Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rte.32), Waterford. Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home prior to the service from 1 – 2 pm.
As per pandemic regulations, masks are required, social distancing practiced and occupancy limitations observed.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to St. Colman’s Autism Program, 11 Haswell Rd., Watervliet, NY 12189.
Rita had been employed for several years by Cumberland Farms and had worked in several of their stores in the Capital District. Most recently she was a loving caregiver for many children. She was very artistic and enjoyed drawing. A conversationalist she was always ready to offer unsolicited advice. A trait she readily admitted. She was an animal lover and had many cats and several dogs over the years.
Survivors include her son Ryan Smith of Mechanicville, her daughter Kari Merritt (Gary) of Scotia and her bonus daughter and niece Heather Worthington of Clifton Park. She is the sister of Denise Worthington of Waterford, William and Dennis Stowell of Troy. She is the proud grandmother of Gary Merritt III and Maximus Merritt as well as bonus grandchildren, Brody and Corbin Hunter. Also surviving is her longtime companion Richard Smith of Troy, her great aunt Marcia Chalifoux of Troy as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2 pm at Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rte.32), Waterford. Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home prior to the service from 1 – 2 pm.
As per pandemic regulations, masks are required, social distancing practiced and occupancy limitations observed.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to St. Colman’s Autism Program, 11 Haswell Rd., Watervliet, NY 12189.