Rita Marie Wisell

Rita Marie (Bradley) Wisell passed away on December 15, 2024, at her farm in Rindge, NH. She was born on December 26, 1934 in Westfield, MA, to Walter George Bradley and Sophie Rose (Kisielewski) Bradley. Rita had 5 siblings - George, Wanda, Rose, Walter and Marsha, who all predeceased her with the exception of her brother George, who she remained close to throughout their lives.

Rita developed an early childhood love of animals, and after graduating she worked in stables as a stable hand and trail guide, and then for veterinary hospitals. Some of her fondest memories were when working at Dr. Shaw & Maker Animal Hospital (Shrewsbury, MA) and Angel Memorial Animal Hospital (Boston, MA). On those jobs, Rita was often know to rescue and bring home animals of all kinds that needed a loving home. Years later, when semi-retired, Rita worked at the Lancaster Animal Hospital in Lancaster, MA...continuing her lifelong gift of caring for animals.

Rita married Ormand William “Bill” Wisell in 1965, and for nearly 40 years lived in Bolton, MA, where she and Bill operated Ye Olde Tyme Shoppe, an antique store. Her husband Bill died in 2004.

Rita and Bill had two daughters: Susan (Wisell) Neal, now of Beaver Dams, NY, and Victoria "Tori" Wisell of Rindge, NH, who Rita lived with on their horse farm until her very last day. Rita was a loving and devoted mother to her two girls.

One of Rita's fondest times was when a surprise foal was born on the farm during the pandemic of 2020. It made being stuck at home more cheerful, to watch the young colt grow up.

Rita was a skilled rider and horsewoman herself, and she passed these skills and love on to both her daughters.

Rita was a true and devoted friend, maintaining some friendships from childhood through to the end of her life. And wherever she went or lived, she always managed to make new friends, too.

Rita was an avid reader, often reading an average of 8 to 10 books per week, and keeping her daughter busy choosing books for her at the local library she loved so much in Rindge, NH, when she could no longer get around on her own. Rita also loved old time westerns, "real" country music and Christmas movies.

In the last years of her life Rita took interest in national politics, and despite her health struggles and hospitalizations towards the end of her life, she made sure to get her vote in and counted via absentee ballot. It was that important to her, that she have her vote "count" in 2024.

Before her health made it too hard to get around, Rita attended St. Patrick's Parish in Jaffrey, NH with her daughter Tori, and she found much comfort in the ministering and visits from Father Bill, especially in her last months.

Rita is survived by her daughter, Susan Neal of NY and son in law Gary Neal, and daughter Victoria Wisell of NH, and her brother George Bradley of NC, and a few nephews and nieces, most notably Robert Stefanik of MA. Both her brother George and her nephew Robert always made a point to call and check on her often, which brought her much joy.

Rita will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Rita would be happy to have those who wish to, donate in her memory to any small, local horse or dog/cat shelter or rescue.

Services will be private, and will be held in the spring. Close friends may reach out to Rita's daughters, to be contacted at a later date for plans and when the services will be.