Rita M. (Heywood) Adams

Rita Maria Heywood Adams, a longtime resident of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on September 29, 2023, at the Yorktown Assisted Living Residence at the age of 84. She was born on March 15, 1939, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, daughter of the late Percy and Margaret (Ahye) Heywood.

On June 21, 1968, in New York City, she married Ainsley Ashton Adams; they were happily married for 47 years until his sudden passing on July 11, 2015. Rita is survived by her loving daughter Natalie Adams Bolden; her four grandchildren, Stefan and Kyle Ellis; Amara (Melody) and Melvin Bolden, Jr. Rita is also survived by her three brothers, Thomas (Noel), Winston, and Martin Heywood; her three sisters, Theresa Narine, Mary Modeste, and Helena Shampoo. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Though Rita graduated from St. John’s University with a Master’s degree in accounting, working as an accountant at Disney/ABC in New York until she retired in December 2002, she was well-known as the right hand of her husband. Making trips to various stores to get items for Ainsley’s college students, she was a frequent presence on the Pace University Pleasantville Campus.

Along with her husband Ainsley and stepdaughter Wendy-Anne Ellis, Rita is predeceased by sisters Irma Semoy and Joan (Vera), and brothers Cornelius (Sonny), John (Jimsey), and Kennedy (adopted brother).

Her Family will gather to remember her Life with a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30PM on  Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Holy Name of Mary Church, 110 Grand Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520. The Family will be receiving friends starting at 1:30PM, prior to the Mass. Interment will be private at the discretion of her family. 

In lieu of flowers, her family wishes for memorial donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org). Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the LIBBY FUNERAL HOME, Beacon, New York. To offer a message of condolence or share a fond memory, please visit: www.LibbyFuneralHome.com

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