WEBSTER - Rita Ann (Holewa) Lada, 91, passed away surrounded by her family on August 12, 2018 as a result of complications due to surgery. One of eleven children of Joseph and Anna (Lis) Holewa, Rita was born on February 27, 1927 in Dudley Massachusetts
Rita spent her early childhood in the village of Jerico on Dudley’s east side where she loved exploring nearby ponds, picking blueberries in the woods and playing baseball with her older brothers. She attended St Joseph Elementary School and while in the fifth grade she developed rheumatic fever. Despite hearing a doctor’s prognosis that she would not survive beyond 21 years of age, she became determined to live as active and full a life as possible. She went on to attend Dudley Junior High and Bartlett High School where she loved studying history and in particular reading biographies; her most admired figures were Lincoln and Ghandi.
After graduating from Bartlett High School in 1945, she moved to Boston to attend the New England School of Art. There she thrived training to become an artist and discovering the cultural benefits afforded by living in the city. She worked in Hyannis in the summer of 1946 to earn funds for a second year of art school. She acquired a life-long love of Cape Cod where she spent much time with her children in the latter years of her life. An end of summer burglary deprived her of her college savings and the ability to continue school in Boston. However, Rita’s experience in Boston instilled in her the value of a college education and she vowed to provide such for any children she might have. Shortly after returning home in the fall of 1946 she met Joseph Lada Jr. of North Grosvenordale CT. They were married a year later and settled in Dudley. In 1955 they moved to Grafton and in 1958 to Webster where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Rita raised four children and would often say that they were her proudest accomplishment. After seeing all her children through college, Rita worked 25 years as a teacher’s aide in Webster’s elementary schools.
Because of her outgoing good nature, Rita made many friends during her life and her wise and encouraging advice was continually sought by family and friends alike. She found special joy in talking on the phone to everyone she knew. There was nothing that made her happier than the time spent with family and friends. She particularly enjoyed playing cards with her children and grandchildren. Rita was always active and like the energizer bunny never seemed to stop even when her health declined. She will be long remembered for her positive outlook, the love and devotion she showered on her family, and for her warm, generous and caring personality. She will be sorely missed.
Rita leaves four children: Charles J. Lada and his wife Stacey of Needham, Ann L. Lada of Webster, Joan E. Butterworth and her husband John Butterworth, Jr. of Auburn and Elizabeth L. Elston of Gainesville, FL as well 5 grandchildren: Margaret Lada of Aman Jordan, Navy LT Sam Lada of Washington D.C., Elizabeth Butterworth and John Butterworth III, both of New York, NY, Joseph Lada Elston of Gainesville FL, sister-in-law Theresa Lada of Webster, and many beloved
nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph in 2017 and their son-in-law Richard Elston as well as her sisters Charlotte (Garabedian) and Alfreda (Pepka) and brothers Henry, Chester, John, Theodore, Edwin, Walter and Leo.
The family is planning a private burial service in Orleans, MA. Donations in her name may be made to the: Webster Education Foundation, 77 Poland St., Webster, MA 01570.