Rita B. Hilliard, 96, peacefully passed into the hands of God, on January 2, 2026, at the Western Massachusetts Hospital, after a long illness. She was born to Joseph and Gwen (Gilson) Boulanger on May 18, 1929, in Barton, VT. She married Warren Hilliard in September 1949 and was predeceased by him in 2002. She was also predeceased by 9 of her siblings.

Rita is survived by her children, JD Hilliard of New Mexico and Joni Surprenant of Massachusetts, 2 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Katie of Florida.

Rita would like to be remembered most for the 47 years that she spent in Hyde Park, NY. She was very artistic and took full advantage of her proximity to NYC, traveling with her art class to museums and galleries. She also had a passion for sewing, knitting, and quilting, where she was known in Hyde Park as "The Quilt Lady". She and Warren started their own business known as "Hilliard House" where they designed many wooden and quilted products for sale.

Rita was a devoted member of Regina Coeli Church in Hyde Park.

In 2013, Rita moved to MA to be closer to family, where she lived out the remainder of her life.

Services in Hyde Park will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, between the hours of 2pm and 4pm at Sweet's Funeral Home.

Rita will then be transported to Newport, VT, where services will be held at Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 37 Lake Road, Newport, VT 05855 on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, between the hours of 2pm and 4pm.

Burial will be made later in the Spring in the family plot at Pleasant View Cemetery, Orleans, VT.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rita's name made be made to Western Mass Hospital in Westfield MA for the incredible care, attention and love that Rita received there. Our family will always be grateful.