TROY – Rita Messitt Lynch, 93, formerly of Watervliet, died peacefully Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center in Troy. Born in Watervliet on May 10, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Critcher Smith. Rita attended Catholic Central High School and graduated from Watervliet High School.
She was employed by Behr-Manning Co. in Watervliet, and was the office manager for the United Steel Workers Union. She was employed for over 30 years by Key Bank before retiring in 1984. She later worked for the Watervliet City School District in the business office and was a teacher’s assistant. She also volunteered in the foster grandparent program.
She was a communicant of the former St. Brigid’s Church in Watervliet and was a member of the Rosary Society. She was a member of the Schuyler Park Welfare Society and the Schuylerettes Bowling League at Thornie’s Bowling Lanes. She played golf in a ladies league at the Watervliet Arsenal. At the Eddy in Troy, she was a member of the Resident Council and its Rosary Group.
She was the wife of the late Matthew H. Messitt and Alpheus Lynch; beloved mother of Michael (Lorraine) Messitt of Lewes, Delaware and Mimi Marian O’Connor (Joe Gallagher) of Colonie; adored grandmother of Matthew (Melissa) O’Connor, Bridget (Taghi) Ryder and Brendan O’Connor (Dustin Zuber); great grandmother of Ronan and Ava O’Connor; sister of Alfred Smith of Watervliet, Catherine Toma of Banning, CA and the late Dorothy McClellan, Joseph Smith, Jr., Irene Hartcastle, Virginia Niebuhr, Evelyn Keisel and Robert Smith. Rita is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center for the loving care given to our mom.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 22nd at 10 am at Christ Sun of Justice Parish located at the Chapel + Cultural Center at RPI, 2125 Burdett Avenue, Troy. Relatives and friends are invited. The family will be available to receive callers from 9-10 am prior to the mass.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Elizabeth Malone Fund @ Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center, 2256 Burdett Avenue, Troy, NY 12180.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.

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