Rita N. Blair
Rita N. Blair, 76, passed away peacefully at New Haven Court in Butler on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, due to complications of the COVID-19 virus.
Born June 8, 1944, and raised in Boyers, Rita was the daughter of the late Pasquale “Patsy” and Mary (DeMatteis) Niro.
Rita was a graduate of Moniteau High School and Duff's Business School in Pittsburgh.
Working for GE, Rita moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in the late 1970s, and later was a financial planner.
In 1987, she and her two cats drove across the country in her move to San Diego, Calif. She was a sales representative in Southern California for Spang & Co., until her retirement in 2009. That same year, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She was able to live independently until 2017, when she moved back to Pennsylvania to be closer to her family, whom she loved very much.
While in California, Rita was very active with the San Diego Symphony. She ushered at the Old Globe Theatre, as well as others. She was a longtime resident of Ocean Beach, and loved her beachside community very much.
Rita was a very active volunteer at San Diego's visitor center, which she did for many years. She also was a very active member of the San Diego Parkinson's Foundation, as well as a member of their “Tremble Clef's” singing group, sponsored by the foundation.
Rita loved to play games of any kind, most especially cards. She enjoyed attending plays and musicals, and was a very avid traveler. She visited Italy several times with her sister. Rita was also a proud member of the AWON Organization.
Rita is survived by her daughter, Renee Vitullo and her grandson, Aragon Arges, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; her stepdaughter, Stacy (Rick) Tarr along with their children and grandchildren, of Kittanning; her sister, Antonetta (Fred) Bell of Boyers; her nephew, Randy (Sammie) Bell of Apopka, Fla.; her nieces, Robin (Rob) Bowser of Butler, Jocelyn (Mick) Kondos of Evans City, and Cindy (Ryan) Morton of Butler; eight great-nieces and nephews, that she loved very much, Emily and Brett Bowser, Zoie, Abbey and Bailey Kondos, and Ethan, Brynn and Noah Morton; a very special uncle, Bob McCarl of Boyers; and many loving cousins.
BLAIR — There will be no public visitation for Rita Blair, who died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021.Private services will be held at the convenience of the family with a celebration of life service to follow at a later date.Arrangements were made by William F. Young Funeral Home, 132 Main St., West Sunbury.Memorial contributions if desired may be made to the Parkinsons Foundation at www.parkinsonsassociation.org or by calling (301) 520-1316.If desired online condolences can be sent to www.williamfyoungfh.com.
