MONTGOMERY CENTER – Rita Tatro, age 84, widow of Howard “Manny” Tatro, passed away Monday evening, April 23, 2012 at the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans.

She was born July 21, 1927 in Montgomery the daughter of the late Edward & Eva (Roberts) Potvin.

Rita was a lifelong resident of Montgomery and a member of St. Isidore’s Catholic Church and the Ladies of St. Theresa & St. Ann Societies. She worked as a cook at the Montgomery Elementary School and Jay Peak Ski Resort prior to opening the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Montgomery Center which she operated from 1960 to 1965. She served as Treasurer and Secretary for the Montgomery Water Department for 30 years retiring at the age of 79. Rita enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, sewing, making quilts, playing cards and was a member of the 500 card club.

She is survived by her children, Carol Jean Brooks and her husband Jim of Myrtle Beach, SC, Howard Tatro of Montgomery, Bruce Tatro and his partner Michelle Pariseau of Swanton, Regina Meigs and her husband John of Fairfax, and Cindy Dillingham of Keene, NH, 10 grandchildren & 9 great grandchildren; her sister, Theresa Perrin of Sebring, FL; her brother, George & Joyce Potvin of Halifax, MA; her sister-in-law, Phyllis Potvin of Plymouth, MA; several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Rita was predeceased by her infant sister, Theresa Potvin and her brothers, Charles, Norman, James, John & Leonard Potvin.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 27, 2012 at 11:00 AM at St. Isidore’s Catholic Church, 169 Mountain Road, Montgomery Center with Rev. Karl Hahr celebrating the Mass of Christian burial. Interment will follow in St. Isidore’s Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday from 4-7 PM at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls.

For those who wish, contributions in Rita’s memory may be made to Franklin County Home Health Agency – Home Care Program, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478 or to the Montgomery Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 356, Montgomery Ctr., VT 05471