Rita A. (Mattimore) Withstandley

Rita A. (Mattimore) Withstandley, formerly of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, October 17, 2022 at the Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester.

Rita was born in Worcester April 30, 1925 to the late William and Julia (Hogan) Mattimore.

Rita’s husband of 65 years, Robert E. Withstandley, passed away in June 2018.  In addition to her husband and parents, Rita was also predeceased by her sister Mary Mattimore and her brothers, Paul K. and Monsignor William F. Mattimore.

Rita graduated from Ascension High School, after which she worked for U.S. Steel Corp and Raytheon Technologies.

Faith and community were fundamental to Rita.  For years she was a religious educator and a volunteer at St. Vincent Hospital.  Rita also kept friendships from Ascension Parish vibrant through the years. Along with her faith and loyalty, Rita enjoyed gardening, traveling, and being with her family. She leaves many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.

Rita’s cousin Tom Stone would like to give a special thanks to his wife Susan, Jill Bakis and her husband Bryan, and Sue Stone and her late husband John Stone, for their loyal support over the last several years.

There will be a visitation period on Thursday, October 20, from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury. The funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. in the church. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester.

In memory of Rita, contributions can be made to St. John’s Food for the Poor, 44 Temple St., Worcester, MA 01604.