Rita Ann Woulfe Guariglia, Co-founder of Literacy Volunteers on the Green, Inc.
Rita passed away on April 19, 2023 in Denver, Colorado, surrounded by her loving family. Rita was a lifelong educator and mentor, and a devout parishioner of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Brookfield, CT. The LVG community is deeply saddened by her loss; Rita remained an active tutor until 2022 and leaves behind students, tutors and LVG staff and board members, each cherishing wonderful memories of an outstanding educator, prominent adult literacy activist and dear friend.
In 2005, co-founders, Anne Maitland and Rita, gathered retired educators and friends, trained as tutors through Literacy Volunteers of America, recruited adult students, and created a nonprofit adult literacy center to support the learning needs of English language learners in northwestern Connecticut. Eighteen years later, LVG has enhanced the lives of more than 1,200 students throughout Litchfield and northern Fairfield counties.
Rita was a remarkable woman who lived her life with integrity and compassion. Rita and Anne shared a common bond, holding fast to that universal language of enthusiasm, of accomplishing things with love and purpose. Rita’s legacy will continue to guide LVG as we strive to maintain a high standard of excellence in adult learning.
There will be a Celebration of Life Mass for Rita on Monday, May 15 at 9:00 am,
at Saint Joseph’s Church, 1 Obtuse Hill Road, Brookfield, CT 06804,
with a reception to follow at the Clubhouse at Newberry Village,
901 Federal Road, Brookfield, CT 06804.
Donations in Rita’s memory can be made to:
Saint Joseph’s Church and their Adoration Chapel, https://www.stjosephbrookfield.com,
and, to Literacy Volunteers on the Green, https://www.lvg-ct.org,
P.O. Box 366, 7 Whittlesey Avenue, New Milford, CT 06776.