Rita M. Galyas, 84, of Ware Road, Dayville, Ct., passed away on February 26th surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Thomas F. Galyas. They had been married for 63 years.
Born in Claremont, NH, a daughter of the late William and Blanche (Bates) Gallant. She had lived in Dayville, CT previously living in Leesburg, Fl for 31 years.
Rita had started the T.o.p.s program in Leesburg Florida, had been an assistant girl scout leader, she enjoyed hairdressing, cake decorating, knitting, ceramics, Black licorice, and beating her kids at mini gulf.
Besides her husband she leaves her children, Kenneth W. Galyas and his wife Tonya of Hopkinton, RI, Paula Greb and her husband George of Killingly, CT, Karla Galyas Wilson of Sandy, OR and Pam Roldan of Gresham, OR. She was a grandmother of 28 grandchildren. She also leaves her sister Norma Tarpein of Greenville, TN. She was the mother of the late Thomas Galyas, Jr., Timothy Galyas and Patricia Galyas. She was the grandmother of the late Ken Galyas, Jr. She was predeceased by brothers and sisters Genevieve, Billy, Raymond, Joyce and Donnie.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday March 4th at 8:30am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, RI. A Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Eugene Church, 1251 Putnam Pike, Glocester, RI. Burial will be in Acote’s Hill Cemetery. Visitation Friday 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Senior Nutrition Program, 1 Sylvandale Road, Jewett City, CT 06351 www.tvcca.org/food-nutrition/senior-nutrition-program/ TVCCA Senior Nutrition Program