Rita Jane Benney Hewitt , born July 7, 1937 in Chaumont to John and Rhea Benney. Rita entered into rest at her home Thursday, January 12, 2017, surrounded by her loving family and Hospice of Jefferson County. Rita graduated from Lyme Central School in 1956 where she was Junior Prom Queen. She married Harvey J. Hewitt, June 30, 1955. She worked at Sears Roebuck, Watertown, N.Y. and Barbour's Pendleton Clothing Shop, Canton, N.Y. to help put Harvey through Canton ATC (1957-1959). She was the treasurer of Williamson, N.Y. PTA, Twig volunteer of Sodus, N.Y. Hospital, a volunteer driver for the elderly and caregiver to her widowed mother, Rhea, for 11 years. Rita was a member of the Three Mile Bay First Baptist Church and had been an Elder, Sunday school teacher/superintendant and choir member of Williamson Presbyterian Church. She was also in the choir at Webster Bible Church and Webster Assembly of God. Rita was an avid reader having read 494 books from 1984-2003. She was a world traveler with her husband, a downhill skier, horse-back rider, and sailor of Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River. Her passion was as a wife, mother, housekeeper, and gardener at her home in Pultneyville, N.Y. for 50 years. She was an artist who enjoyed playing the piano, painting, quilting, crafting, home decorating and gardening. She made everything more beautiful. She has a huge heart and always had a welcoming smile for everyone she met. Rita accepted Jesus and was born-again at a Billy Graham crusade in the 1960's. She has read the complete bible several times and was a dedicated witness for Jesus leading several people to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. She is survived by her husband Harvey J. and 2 sons; David W. Three Mile Bay, N. Y. and John ( Sharon) of Pultneyville, N.Y. and her daughter Kimberly (Thomas) Nowak, Theresa N.Y.; a step-sister Elizabeth Wilder, 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She is predeceased by a step-bother Russell Keiser. The Funeral will be at 2 P.M. Saturday, January 14, 2017, at the Three Mile Bay Baptist Church with a reception following. There will be no calling hours. Spring burial will be in Three mile Bay Cemetery. Arrangements are with Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter, N.Y. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, Three Mile Bay, N.Y. or Hospice of Jefferson County.