Rita S. Clark

Rita (Stollar) Clark, 104, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late George C. Clark Sr.

Rita was born on February 27, 1921, in Waterbury, CT to the late Andrew and Irene (Phelan) Stollar.

Rita graduated from Leavenworth High School in Waterbury with a concentration in domestic arts. She learned sewing, crocheting, quilting, cooking and baking. Family favorites include her meatballs, apple pie and chocolate chip cookies.

Rita and George married in 1947. Together, they raised 4 sons, proudly putting each of them through college, witnessing the start of long successful careers, having families of their own and seeing each of them retire!

As a member of the Greatest Generation, Rita contributed to the World War II effort by working in a factory where she inspected large caliber shells. Following the conclusion of the war, she was employed at Worth’s Clothing Store, where she dedicated more than three decades of service before retiring.

Rita was highly engaged in her church community. She served as a Sunday School teacher, participated in the Women's group and regularly loved to contribute her delicious baked goods for the post-service coffee hour. Additionally, she volunteered at church fairs and bazaars.

Rita loved to reminisce about the good ol’ days growing up in Waterbury. She owned a 1934 Plymouth with a rumble seat and no functional brakes. In 1936, she witnessed the Hindenburg dirigible as it passed overhead, describing how it dominated the sky, and she also recalled seeing Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt in an open motorcade.

An adventurous spirit, Rita enjoyed many family camping trips around the country that included 2 cross-country trips, visiting many national parks. She took two cruises in the Caribbean and one in Alaska. There were numerous adventures outside the US, spanning Europe, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Scotland, France, England, Germany, and Italy. Many of these trips she enjoyed with the Bass family.

Cape Cod was a destination that Rita appreciated for its unique opportunities. The area offered activities ranging from walks along the Brewster Flats to swimming in Flax Pond, contributing to numerous notable family vacations.

If you knew Rita, you know she did not like Mayonaise and attributed her longevity to the fact that she would not eat it! She felt she had the best of everything in this life. A full life, well-loved and well lived!

Rita is survived by 4 sons, Scott Clark, with whom she made her home and Timothy Clark, both of Southington, Donald Clark (Joan) of Clinton and George Clark Jr. (Donna) of Southington. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren; George III, Steven, Susan, Ellen and Andrew and 5 great-grandchildren; Sawyer, Sienna, Aurora, Connor and Olivia as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Joseph and John Stollar and sisters, Mary Vaitkus, Ruth Switz and Jane Sherwill.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s memory may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, (www.graceumcsouthington.org/) or to Hartford Healthcare at Home Hospice, (https://hartfordhealthcareathome.org/).

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Grace United Methodist Church, 121 Pleasant St., Southington. Burial will be held privately and at the convenience of the family. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.