Rita Gilda Menegus Bayette, 85, of Torrington died on May 6, 2022 to enter the gates of Heaven to be reunited with her beloved family members.
She was born in Torrington on September 22, 1936. Her parents, Annastasia Fiori Menegus and Bartolo Menegus migrated to Torrington from San Vito di Cadore, northern Italy. They created a beautiful family on the west end of Torrington where they raised their five children. Rita was predeceased by siblings Katherine Persechino, Mary Amrich, and Joseph and Angelo Menegus.
Her fun loving husband, Robert C. Bayette passed away in 2005. They were married in 1958 at Saint Peter’s Church by Msgr. Botticelli. They remained married for 47 years, residing in Torrington and raising their five children, Robert R. Bayette of Torrington, Ann Marie Peters-Grohs and husband James of Harwinton, Christine Moscarillo and her partner, Thomas Villanova of New Hartford, James Bayette of Morris and was sadly predeceased by her youngest, Gerald Bayettte formerly of Bath, NH.
Rita graduated from Torrington High School in 1955 and later married Robert in 1958. Her Yearbook states that she was always giggling and talking, which were her specialties, and lasted throughout her lifetime. No one ever saw Rita when she was not happy. She was always sincere and kind to all she encountered, especially children. In addition to raising her children, she also worked at The Torrington Company for almost 30 years before her retirement in 1999. She enjoyed her co-workers, and it was a pleasant place of employment for many area residents. The friendships she made there continued long after her retirement and she enjoyed the tremendously.
Rita’s favorite pastimes, her passion, was spending quality time with her grandchildren: Michael, Benjamin, and Robert Bayette, EJ and Jeffrey Peters, and Angelo and Joseph Moscarillo. Her great grandchildren were an extra bonus in life, she cherished and spoiled Trey, Gunnar, and Easton Bayette and Elijah Peters as often as she could. Other family members that were special to her were Kathleen Persechino, Janice Eucalitto Bayette and Clair, Alexis, and Evelyn Villanova. She besotted them with her homemade cooking, especially her Italian specialties. The family favorite was her all day cooked spaghetti sauce and meatballs. She excelled in baking pies, cookies, cakes, and cupcakes. She literally would bake hundreds of cookies for Christmas, bringing them to family, friends, and neighbors.
Rita was very talented at knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint. She would knit her beloved grandchildren stocking hats, mittens, slippers, and sweaters. Her needlework was admired by everyone and is now cherished by her family.
She was very religious and a regular parishioner of St. Francis Church. She prayed for anyone that needed it and would say the rosary nightly, and of course, during the UCONN Women’s basketball and New York Giants games. Her love of football stemmed from she and Bob spending 17 years in the Torrington Midget Football Program. She loved watching her grandchildren play all sports and recently enjoyed watching Trey play football for Torrington High.
She was blessed to have spent the last 6 months under the loving and watchful care of her daughters Ann and Christine and living in Ann and Jim’s home which provided her comfort, love, and joy for her final days. The family would also like to give special thanks to the nurses and aids for Hospice, who assisted them at Ann’s home along Rita’s journey home
Funeral services will be held Wednesday May 11 at 11 AM at Saint Francis Church 160 Main St Torrington. Entombment will follow at Saint Peter Mausoleum. Friends may call prior to the Mass from 9:30-10:30 at Phalen Funeral Home.www.phalenfuneral.com
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