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RITA (KEATING) DESCOTEAUX PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC — Our beautiful Irish lass, Rita (Keating) Descoteaux, 66, passed away in the waning hours of January 6, 2019, after a valiant battle against cancers of the stomach and esophagus. Rita was born on December 28, 1952, in Bridgeport, CT, to Joseph and Lillian (Kearney) Keating. She attended Notre Dame High School in that hometown and earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Post College, Waterbury, CT. She worked for Vitramon/Vishay Intertechnology for more than 35 years, retiring as a senior financial manager. She met her beloved Paul Descoteaux at the water cooler; they married in 1978, and the family lived in Shelton, CT, and then moved to Pawleys Island in 2015. She was a voracious reader, loved traveling the country and the world, and enjoyed golfing with Paul and their friends. She was a member of Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club and a former member of the Highland Golf Club in Shelton. Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Joseph Keating; her stepson, Jimmy Descoteaux; and her nephew, John Johnson. Rita is survived by Paul, her husband of more than 40 years, and her sister, Kathleen (Larry) Gabriel, Pawleys Island. She also is survived by brothers-in-law André Descoteaux, Florissant, MO, and Donald Descoteaux, Southington, CT. She leaves behind sisters-in-law Jacqueline Diorio (Dan), Simi Valley, CA; Denise Gunther (Gary), Apollo Beach, FL; Alice Proulx (Bob), Florissant, MO; and Lise Descoteaux (Beth O’Hara), Hazelwood, MO. Many, many nieces and nephews, too, feel the loss of their Aunt Rita. She made innumerable loyal friends throughout her days in Connecticut and South Carolina, and she was surrounded by them in her last months and days. Rita also leaves behind Bailey, her faithful shoe-stealing, napkin-eating golden retriever. The old boy surely chases after her slippers in his dreams. She probably doesn’t mind. A funeral mass will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Parish, 1633 Waverly Road, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. Inurnment will follow at the church columbarium immediately following the Mass. A repast will take place in the Parish Life Center’s Fellowship Hall immediately following inurnment. All family and friends are invited. Flowers may be sent to the church. Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is charge of the arrangements.

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Rita (Keating) Descoteaux

December 28, 1952 - January 6, 2019