Rita L. (Malz) Errico

Roxbury-Rita L. (Malz) Errico, widow of Louis Errico, passed away peacefully at Waterbury Hospital on May 21, 2021 at the age of 99.

 Born in the Bronx, New York on May 10th,1922, she was the exceptional daughter of Oscar and Louise (Schroeder) Malz. She was the sister of the late Evelyn Malz and the late Thomas Malz, both of whom she was devoted to.  Grandparents and many aunts and uncles were part of her large family growing up in the Bronx.

 Rita graduated from Hunter College High School in NYC, and planned to attend Hunter College. However, she gave up her dream of a college education to help her family financially. This led to a 40 year career with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 Rita married Louis Errico in 1951, and enjoyed traveling extensively to such destinations as Ireland, Austria, Italy, and Hawaii, to name a few. They also cruised to the Caribbean and Alaska. When Lou passed away, she continued to travel with her best friend Helen within the U.S. and to Europe and Asia.

 Rita and Lou loved Roxbury, and made many happy memories there, entertaining the Malz and Errico families. They retired there in 1982, and unfortunately, Lou passed away in 1986.

 Rita was very proud of her Irish roots. She was an avid reader, loved word search puzzles, stenciling, watching Jeopardy, classic T.V. shows, and the occasional trip to the thrift store. And, of course, she enjoyed her occasional Manhattan.

 Rita was a very private person, an amazing, fiercely independent woman, way ahead of her time.  Above all, she was a selfless person who loved her family and the times spent with them. She was an inspiration to all of us!

 Rita is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Maureen Andolena, and her son-in-law Jerry, of Naugatuck. (Thank you Jerry for your kindness shown to my mother, and for your corny jokes that made her laugh!) She is also survived by her doting grandchildren Kristen, Amanda (with whom she had an especially close relationship), Joe (fiancée Emma), and Michael (Sarah), who affectionately called her “Ma”. Survivors also include her great-grandchildren Ava, “her gem”, Lincoln, “her little guy”, and Everlee, who is due to arrive in June, her stepdaughter, Mary Errico Nickerson of MA, nieces Joan Greco and Carol Malz of NY, cousins Donald Hein and Joseph Scavone of NY, cousin Dorothy M’Sadoques of CT, and her NH Malz family, Karen, Rob, Linda, Gail, and Donna.   Besides Lou and her parents, Rita was predeceased by her best friend Helen, her stepson Henry Errico, her cousins, Robert Malz, Ann Scavone, Steven Scavone, and her dear aunt, Freda Hein.

Visitation will be held on Sunday May 30, 2021 from 12-3 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck. Facial masks and social distancing will be required.  Burial will be on Tuesday at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY.  To send an on-line condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com

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