Mary Rita Thomas, 96, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.  Born in Springfield, daughter of the late Said and Catherine (Baho) Thomas, she was a lifelong resident of West Springfield and a graduate of West Springfield High School.  Rita was the retired data processing manager for Package Machinery.  She started working there in 1954 and in 1963 she passed the examination and received her Data Processing Management Association Certificate and was honored with being the first woman in the area to attain this achievement. She was a charter member and former secretary of the Association and a communicant of St. Thomas Church. She enjoyed traveling extensively including trips to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, The Caribbean Isles, Greece, Spain and Russia.  She was a former member of the Package Machinery Women's Bowling and served as financial advisor to the Package Machinery sponsored Junior Achievement companies.  She was predeceased by a brother, Richard A. Thomas, and five sisters, Jeanette L. Corey, Catherine Helen Gauthier, Rosanna Hall, Theresa M. Norton and Lorraine E. Loomer. She leaves a nephew, Michael T. Loomer of Agawam, and four nieces, Catherine Hall Adams of Longmeadow, Diane E. Tillman of Westfield, Donna Hall Adams of Monson and Susan M. Norton of Westfield.  A graveside service will be Monday, May 19, 2025 at 10am at Hillcrest Park Cemetery, 895 Parker Street, Springfield. For online condolences, please visit www.curranjones.com