Rita T. Szurley

Rita Theresa Szurley left this Earth and arrived peacefully in a better place December 30, 2022. She was a lifetime resident of New Britain and passed away while living at Autumn Lake Health Care Facility for several years. During her time at Autumn Lake, she made new friends and participated in many of the activities and events available that enriched her life.

Born in New Britain,  Rita was raised by her late parents, Karol Szurlej and Helen Marczak Szurlej. She was a bookkeeper/office manager most of her life with Hank’s Automotive business in New Britain. She was a longtime parishioner of Holy Cross Church.

In her younger years, Rita had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world, including her favorite destinations of Poland, Spain and Iceland, but especially her ancestral Poland. She spent most of her life caring for others, especially her family. She cherished cooking her favorite Polish culinary delights for family and friends, particularly during the holidays. Rita was an avid polka dancer, traveling with her sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Hank Poplaski,  to polka festivals and Polish events throughout the eastern United States for many decades.

Rita Theresa is survived by her sister, Irene Szurley Poplaski, and predeceased by brother-in-law Hank Poplaski, her brothers Stanley Szurley, Archie Szurley, Chester Szurley and sister Sophie Turbacuski. Rita will be forever cherished and remembered by seven nieces, two nephews, five great nephews, ten great nieces and six great-great nephews and nieces.

Rita’s family would like to express their deep gratitude to those staff of Autumn Lake for their wonderful care and companionship in the past years.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 16, 2023, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 South Main St., New Britain followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at Holy Cross Church, 31 Biruta St., New Britain. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.  For online condolences, please visit www.ericksonhansen.com.