Rita A. Fabricius

Rita A. Fabricius, 101, passed away November 6, 2025 with family by her side. She was born on October 16, 1924, daughter of the late Louis and Lea (Loiselle) Fortier. Rita was raised and educated in the Holyoke Public School system. She worked as a presser at Stricks Dress Shop in Holyoke for many years before relocating to Granby and dedicating herself to caring for her home and family. 

Besides her parents, Rita was predeceased by her son, Mark Bryant; stepdaughters, Darlene Ehlers and Star Couture; siblings, George Dolphus, Albert Fortier, Lillian Labonte, Evangeline Bussard, Alberta Neilon, Rosanna Ford, Claire Ganis and Irene Gemme; and her husbands, Daniel McKendry, Frank Bryant and Ivan Fabricius Sr.

She is survived by her children, Louise Magiera and her husband Rudy, Lawrence McKendry and his wife Jackie, Elaine Slater, Jo-Ann Mercure, Darleen Henry, Kim Ray and her husband Jim, and Ivan Fabricius Jr and his wife Rhonda; stepdaughters, Gail Eldridge and her husband Bob, Cindy Hogan and her husband Dennis, and Hedy Turgeon and her husband Dennis; as well as 31 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her special friends, Carol & Frank Dziuba, with whom she enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune. Rita will be greatly missed but her legacy will continue to live on in the lives of those she touched.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 10:00am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Granby. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita's memory can be made to The Alzheimer's Foundation by visiting www.alzfdn.org