Rita Dianne (LaVigne) Nowakowski

Rita D. (LaVigne) Nowakowski of Griswold passed away March 17, 2026  surrounded by her loving family at the W.W. Backus Hospital. 

She was born June 24, 1947, in Putnam, CT to the late Joseph and Mary (McCartney) LaVigne.  Rita was predeceased by her beloved husband Bennie Nowakowski.

Rita worked for many years at Foxwoods Casino in soft count.  She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Rita is survived by her two daughters, Deanne LeBlanc of Wyoming and her son Nathan, Lenae Picco and her husband Matthew and their children Jared and Dayna.  She is also survived by her longtime partner, Ross Stribling.

Services will be private. 

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