Rita M. Roberts
July 17, 1935 ~ July 25, 2021
Born in:
Brooklyn, New York
Resided in:
Greece, New York
Rita M. Roberts passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Greece, NY on Saturday evening.
Born in Brooklyn, New York to Frank and Rose Martorella, Rita loved being around her family and enjoyed playing in the neighborhood with her friends. Her family eventually moved to Rochester, where Rita attended West High School. After high school she traveled across the country with friends and spent time in New Mexico.
Rita moved back to New York City for a short time and then returned to Rochester where she worked at General Dynamics for several years as a cost accountant. She also held part time positions at McCurdy & Co., The Greece Penny Saver and worked as a literacy tutor for adults. She discovered her talent for floral design, went to floral school and ended up working at several florists until she retired.
Rita had a passion for traveling, gardening, calligraphy, bird watching, everything MacKenzie- Childs, antiquing and loved playing games (but didn’t like to lose.) She loved all animals, especially those that were in need of a home.
She was an active member of the garden club, “Thyme in the Garden” and served as a volunteer at the Unity Hospital gift shop and was given a special accolade for her many years of service.
Rita loved spending time with her family & friends and everyone was always welcome at the Roberts household.
Rita is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Richard; survived by her son John and his wife Christie and their son Jason; her daughter Laura and her husband Larry and their son Alex; her sister Ronnie and in-laws Jane and Joe; as well as several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her sister Lily and brother Joe; Rita is also survived by her dog Sadie and her cat Ollie.
Friends may call Saturday, July 31st, 3 PM – 5 PM at Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home, Greece Chapel, 1075 Long Pond Road. Her memorial service will be held, following visitation at 5 PM in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester (www.lollypop.org) which has been helping animals and people since 1873.
For the continued health and safety of our family and friends in these complicated times, the Roberts family requests that those who have not been vaccinated to please where masks during during visitation and the service.
For more information, or to sign Rita’s online guestbook, please visit: www.MeesonFamily.com.
Services
Visitation: July 31, 2021 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Vay-Schleich & Meeson - Greece Chapel
1075 Long Pond Road
Rochester, NY 14626
Prayer Service: July 31, 2021 5:00 pm
Vay-Schleich & Meeson - Greece Chapel
1075 Long Pond Road
Rochester, NY 14626
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Rita M. Roberts 's name.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
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My condolences to the Roberts family. Rita was a wonderful person who will be greatly missed. She always made me smile. My thoughts and prayers are with Laura, John, and the family.
Please know that your family is in our thoughts.
Love, The Perkins Family
Our prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to the family.
Love, Florence and Ken Falter
My deepest condolences to you and your family. What a dear sweet lady she certainly was. My heart and prayers go out to you all. Rest In Peace sweet Rita. Such wonderful memories I have from being with your family many many years ago. Love you!!
Laura and family: I am so saddened at the loss of your mom Rita. I know how much you adored her and she you. Her spirit of kindness and fun permeates your family and will be her living legacy. Sending so much love and healing energies.
Just an example is how we laughed as years went on because so many times after we finished our meal at the Roberts, Rita would say, “I forgot the Jello”. One time Ron and I arrived at their home on Rye Road at the scheduled time and Rita and Dick met us in their PJ’s, just one of the many jokes they played on us, making us for an instant think we had the wrong night.
We will remember Rita not only for her sense of humor but for the wonderful mom and wife she was and a friend to us for SO many years. We will miss being able to pick up the phone and talk for awhile.
Our hearts go out to you, Laura and John, Ronnie, Janet and all of the family we have met across the years. We are very sorry we cannot travel from Maine and be with you at this time but your mom knows we will stay in touch and remain family to her children and their families.
Much love,
Aunt and Uncle “B”
Laura, John and Family, I’m so sorry and saddened to hear of the loss of your Mom/Rita and who to me will always be “Mrs. Roberts”. I know how much she loved all of you, valued family, and her laughter was truly contagious. At the same time, I remember through the years, jokes played on Rita, where all I still hear is “JOHN!” or “LAURA!” She would sound like you were in trouble, but eventually a smile would break through. I always admired Rita’s beautiful skin, her perfectly coiffed hair and her loving nature. Growing up, there were always pets in the house (or rescues) and I see where Laura and John get their love of animals – the apples didn’t fall far from the tree. She will be missed and her memories will live on through all of us. With Love, Beth
Just an example is how we laughed as years went on that so many times after we finished our meal at the Roberts, Rita would say, “I forgot the Jello”. One time Ron and I arrived at their home on Rye Road at the scheduled time and Rita and Dick met us in their PJ’s, just one of many jokes they played on us, making us for an instant think we had the wrong night.
We will remember Rita not only for her sense of humor but for the wonderful mom and wife she was and a friend to us for SO many years. We will miss being able to pick up the phone and talk for a while.
Our hearts go out to you Laura, John, Ronnie, Janet and all the family we have met over the years. We are so sorry that we will not be able to travel from Maine to be with you for the service. Rita knows that our families will always stay in touch with you and yours.
Much love,
Aunt and Uncle “B”
My condolences to John and Laura and their families.
Marie Romach
Dear Laura, Larry, Alex and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Your mother helped to create such a wonderful warm family. She had such a youthful spirit.
Love,
The DiMaggio Family
Dear Laura, John, and family,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear mother Rita. I was so blessed to be in her company and to know her. She was always so kind to me and gave me so much comfort after the passing of my mom. I’m so sorry that I can not be there. I’m praying for you all during this difficult time. My condolences to the entire family.
Love always, Tamisha, Peter, and Theo
Laura and John
We are so very sorry for the sudden loss of your mother. There are no words strong enough to take the pain away.
We love you so much!!! Your both such amazing children.
She was so very proud and shared many wonder times with you. I hope in time you will remember the good times and smile.
Please accept my deepest condolence to you and your family over the passing of your mother.
Love,
Gaoyin
Please accept my deepest condolence to you and your family over the passing of your mother.
Gaoyin
Just heard the news of your mom’s passing. What a wonderful woman. I have so many fond memories of your mother and I’m sure she will be missed by all. Love you guys! Jackie Cashion
Dear Laura and John,
I was so sorry to learn of your mother’s passing’ I had just spoken to her in June. My memories of her on Rye Road are of a gracious, caring and warm hearted lady. She was so very special.
God bless and comfort you.
Ann Yeager