Willa (Rose) Fritz, age 82, passed away on February 14, 2017.  Daughter of the late William Eustis Russell Basch and Grace (Neumann) Basch , and wife of the late Russell Fritz, Willa was born in Boston and raised in Newton, MA.  After graduating Newton High School in 1952, she completed secretarial school.  She became the office manager for Ideal Transmission on Franklin St. in Salem, and was the radio voice for the company's advertisements.  She later owned and operated Northshore Transmission Clinic in Salem with her husband Russell.

Willa Retired in 1983, and soon after, moved to Auburndale, FL.  In her time there she learned to paint and enjoyed being a member of the Red Hat Society.  Willa also loved to cook, sew and knit and was a past president of Hadassah of the North Shore.

Willa is survived by her daughters:  Marcy Dion and her husband, Richard of Danvers, Lorrie Keating and her husband Norman of Beverly , Rhonda Andler and her husband William of Salem and her son, Richard Rose and his partner, Romina Mameli of Middleton. In addition, Willa leaves behind her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who were her pride and joy:  Crystale Wozniak, Robyn Dion, Melinda Cripps, Justin Keating, Jessica Shea, Michael Larsen, Jason Rose,  John Rose, Her great grandchildren:  Jared and Jacey Cripps, Jocelyn and Nathanial Keating, Connor and Brandon Wozniak and Andrew Shea. Willa was pre-deceased by her husband, Russell Fritz, and sisters, Marcia Jamron and Sylvia Abrams.

An hour of public visitation will take place on Friday, February 17, 2017 from 9 to 10AM followed by a memorial service at 10AM at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. (corner of North St.) Salem, MA 01970. Interment will take place at Greenlawn Cemetery, 57 Orne St. Salem, MA 01970. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Willa's memory to North Shore Elder Services, 300 Rosewood Drive #200, Danvers, MA 01923.  For additional information or online guestbook please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.