Rita Alice Wilson

Rita Alice Collette Wilson passed away on October 6, 2023 at the age of 101 in Mansfield, Texas. She was born on September 20, 1922 in Salem, Massachusetts to Isaie and Marie Lavoie Collette. Her formative and school years were spent in the French-Canadian section of Salem where she made many life-long friends. After finishing her schooling, she began her working career at CBS Hytron.

She married Arthur B. Wilson on September 21, 1940 and after he entered the Navy in 1943, she moved with Art and their son, Robert, to postings in Jacksonville, Florida, Braintree, Maryland, Annapolis, Maryland and finally to her least favorite posting in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Her daughter, Kimberly Ann, was born in 1958.

Rita, Art and Kim moved back and resettled in Salem upon his retirement from the Navy in 1965. Rita resumed working at Hytron until her retirement. After her retirement, Rita loved traveling, enjoying trips to Disney World, Niagara Falls, San Francisco, Hawaii and Las Vegas. She especially enjoyed the annual fall trips to a retreat in New Hampshire. She and her sister, Yvonne, looked forward to the annual shows with her nieces, Doreen and Maureen, at the South Shore Music Theatre, never missing a Johnny Mathis performance.

Following the deaths of her husband Art and her beloved sister Yvonne, Rita moved to live with her son Robert in Mansfield, Texas. In July 2020, Rita moved to Cedar Bluff Assisted Living where she made many new friends and enjoyed many activities.

Rita was raised in the Catholic faith and while at Cedar Bluff especially appreciated receiving communion from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and attending the weekly church service provided by Walnut Ridge Baptist Church.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Isaie and Marie Collette; brother Patrick Collette; daughter Kimberly Ann Wilson; husband Arthur B. Wilson; and sister Yvonne Collette Reidy.

She is survived by son Robert and his wife Pat; grandchildren Chris Wilson, Jennifer Petter and her husband David; great-grandchildren Wilson Petter and Whitney Petter; three nieces and four nephews.

A Committal Service will be held at the DFW National Cemetery on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 1:30pm.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Rita’s memory and honor to the charity of your choice.