Rita M. (Giordano) Strouse died peacefully on September, 18th 2017 in Westerly, RI.

She was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1922 to Anna and Samuel Giordano, the 7th of 8 children.

Rita attended St. Brendan’s High School and pursued Economic courses at Fordham University, then worked in New York City for several years. In 1949, she married her husband of nearly 60 years, Herbert Strouse. Herb and Rita eventually settled in Milford Connecticut where they resided for 50 years while raising a family of four.

Mom had a strong and abiding faith and it was always beneficial to get on her prayer list! She was truly a wonderful woman whose kindness and sense of humor will be remembered by all who knew her.

Rita was predeceased by her husband in 2009. She leaves behind her 4 children; Anne Blouin of South Carolina, Eileen Schmidt and her husband, Dr. Stanley Schmidt of West Virginia, her son Richard Strouse and wife Kristine of Michigan and son Bob Strouse and his wife Sue of Rhode Island. In addition, Rita leaves behind four grandchildren whom she loved; Katherine Schmidt and her husband Stephen Jones, Adrienne Schmidt, and Corrinne and Megan Strouse. As well as her immediate family, Rita had many nieces and nephews throughout the country. A Mass to celebrate Rita’s life will be held at Christ the Redeemer Church in Milford at a later date. Rita will be buried alongside her husband in Arlington National Cemetery. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com