Rita Grace (Champagne) Schlieff

It is with sorrow, yet much love and gratitude that we announce the passing of Rita Grace (Champagne) Schlieff at the age of 101 on April 18, 2024. 

Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Walter, her son Scott, her brothers Normand and Marcel, and sister Therese. She is survived by: a sister Claire (Champagne) Costa of Cincinnati, OH; a daughter Nancy Williams of East Bridgewater; a son Karle and his wife Carla of Woburn; a son Vaughn and his

wife Ruth of Raynham; a son Claude and his wife Susan of North Carolina; and a daughter-in-law, Elsie of Rockland. Rita cherished each of her 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, and was the beloved grandmother of the late Jason Williams and Jarod Schlieff.

She was born during the William Harding presidency to J. Henri Champagne and Noella Paradis Champagne on September 5, 1922 in New Bedford, MA. As a member of the Greatest Generation, having seen the leadership of 18 presidents, her life saw events we only study or watch on Netflix nowadays: The Great Depression, World War II, The New Deal, the rebuilding of Europe, the moon landing, the civil rights movement and turbulent 60s   as well as two attacks on U.S. Soil, a global pandemic, and the invention of the internet, to name a few. Yet through all the changes of this world, Rita always remained steadfast in her devotion to family and friends.

Rita lived most of her early life in Tiverton, RI, and was proudly educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph.  She met her future husband Walter through her brother Normand, who was stationed with Walter at Ft. Benning, Georgia. They corresponded throughout Walter’s four year deployment in North Africa and Italy during which time Rita volunteered for the USO. They were married on  June 15, 1946 and made their home in Abington, MA. Together, they raised five children. Rita and Walter became associated with the New England Home for Little Wanderers and fostered many babies, toddlers and adolescent children for over twenty years. Rita would knit a baby blanket for every child in her care as a reassurance of something familiar they could take with them. When she gave up midnight feedings, her service to others did not; Rita joined the Old Colony Nursing Home in Abington and was the lead laundry operator for over twenty-five years. Rita and Walter were members of the Abington Grange, PTA for both Abington High School and South Shore Vocational Technical High School, and regular attendees at town meetings. Rita was also a proud den mother for her son’s Cub Scout pack 41 and a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troop. 

Rita and Walter spend their retirement years living in Carver, MA. Together, they adventured across the United States in a pick up truck three times. They also hosted many sleepovers for their grandchildren, who always looked forward to a trip to Edaville Railroad. Rita was a devoted grandmother; every Christmas she made and gifted ornaments for each grandchild who now proudly displays these every year on their trees. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilt maker. She was proud to present to each of her grandchildren a handmade quilt. She always embraced technology and had her own AOL instant messenger profile– “Ritzigrace”--as a  way to stay in touch with her grandchildren away at college in the early 2000s. Rita also found great joy in genealogy and spent a number of years researching the family histories of the Schlieffs, Champagnes, Paradis, and Overstreets. In recent years, Rita enjoyed her status as a “Lady of Leisure.”  Moving in with her daughter Nancy, she lived the last years of her life in East Bridgewater. Reading, or listening to books, was a favorite pastime as well as being with her family as it grew, with the most recent great-grandchild being born 100 years after Rita, and named for her. She affectionately called her “my baby, Grace.” 

Rita’s family will sorely miss her presence as the family unicorn and historian; we never thought she would actually leave us. Alas, here we are. Ritz, Mom, Grammy, Aunt Rita, GG: you will always be in our hearts. We will miss talking with you and being with you. God has called you–it is time for you to rest in Him, and we will joyously celebrate knowing we will see you again. 

Visitation will be held at  Quealy & Son  Funeral Home, 116 Adams Street, on April 23rd from 11 AM to 12PM. A funeral home service will follow at 12 PM in the funeral home. Interment to follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery Abington.

The family wishes to extend their great appreciation for Rita’s care during her last days, and donations in Rita’s name can be made to Old Colony Hospice121 Manly Street West Bridgewater Ma 02379

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