- Date Of Birth: December 18, 1946
- Date Of Death: December 4, 2014
- State: Connecticut
Rita (Fogarty) Pierce Powers of Durham, died on December 4, 2014 after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer at the Weiss Hospice Unit at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. Surrounded by her family her life ended with the grace and serenity by which she led her life. Born in Bridgeport on December 18, 1946, Rita was the daughter of the late Ethel (Pittam) Fogarty and George Fogarty. She grew up in Guilford and later Granby and lived for many years in Ellington. Rita graduated from Asnuntuck Community College and the University of Connecticut with special recognition for her scholarship in U. S. History. She also received a Masters Degree in American History from Wesleyan University. Rita taught history at RHAM High School in Hebron for 25 years as a highly respected member of the Social Studies Department before retiring in 2010. An avid historian, reader, traveler, gardener, and cook, Rita was someone who touched all who knew her with her grace and charm, keen intellect, enthusiasm for life, and caring and loving nature. Rita spent her summers at her home on Prince Edward Island in Canada with her husband, Jim and with her beloved sister, Eileen nearby where she also was deeply loved by all who knew her. Rita is survived by her husband, James T. Powers and her children, James Pierce and his wife, Mary of Portsmouth, RI, Heather Gdovin and her husband, Wayne of Meriden, Michael Powers and his wife Amijayne of Fairfield, and Kate Taylor and her husband, Doug of Scituate, MA. Rita’s seven grandchildren who were the light of her life are Julia and Will Pierce, Brian and Samuel Gdovin, Michael and Camilla Powers, and Lily Taylor. Rita is also survived by her sister, Eileen Kearns of North Augusta, SC and her brother, Brian Fogarty and his wife, Cheryl of St. Paul, MN and her former husband and dear friend, Roger Pierce of East Hampton.
