Rita J. Schaefer, 94, of East Hartford, the wife of the late Everett Schaefer died Sunday, May 18, 2014, at her home. Born in Hartford, she had lived in East Hartford for most of her life. She was a communicant of St. Christopher's Church, where she was a longtime member of the choir and also helped take care of the altar for over fifty years. She was also an active member of the Hillstown Grange. She is survived by her daughters, Carol McBride and her husband Terry of Tullahoma, TN, and Linda Wisnieski and her husband Joe of East Hartford; her grandchildren, Laura Bloch and her husband Bill, Todd McBride and his wife Reba, Scott McBride, Ashley Wisnieski and Jennifer Wisnieski; 7 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 27th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Christopher Church 538 Brewer St. East Hartford, CT followed by burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, East Hartford. Family and friends may call at St. Christopher Church Hall on Tuesday morning from 9:00-11:00 a.m. The John F. Tierney Funeral Home, Manchester has care of the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to either St. Christopher Church 538 Brewer St. Manchester, CT 06118 or St. Christopher School 570 Brewer St. East Hartford, CT 06118. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.