Rita S. (Leblanc) Bell

Obituary
Rita Sheehan Bell, 89, of Springfield died on March 25, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center. Born and raised in Waltham, MA, she was a daughter of the late Louis G. LeBlanc and Melinda (Belliveau) LeBlanc. She graduated from Rivier College and earned a Master's degree from Westfield State. She was a resident of Springfield for the last sixty-five years and enjoyed summers in Truro. She taught at the former Holy Cross School and then for thirty years at the elementary level in the Springfield public schools, retiring in 2001.

Rita was preceded in death by her beloved husband David Bell in 2011. She leaves her children Kathy Sheehan (Richard Allen) of Springfield; Kevin Sheehan (Julie Michailidis) of Boston; and Martha Sheehan of Arlington, MA. She was predeceased by her daughter, Alyssa Huntley (Alan) of Ewing, New Jersey. She also leaves her sister, Elizabeth and her husband Philip Tirrell of West Springfield. She was also predeceased by her sister, Alice Collins and her husband Donald of Waltham and also by her brother, Louis G. LeBlanc, Jr. (Patricia) of Sherborn, MA. She also leaves grandchildren Benjamin and Christopher Allen, and Delilah, Petula, and Flora Mae Sheehan; many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews, including Juan Gabriel and Nicolas Martinez and Jillian Arcari. She also leaves many other members of the extended LeBlanc and Bell families. She was sadly preceded in death by grandson Colin Huntley. Rita was blessed to have many dear friends, who will also cherish her memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, June 21st at 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Church, 221 Plumtree Road, Springfield. Wilbraham Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.