Rita B. Emigh

Rita B. Emigh, 62, of Vandergrift died Friday, June 18, 2021.

An Armstrong County native, Ms. Emigh was born on Sept. 25, 1958, in Cambridgeshire, England, at Wimpole Park Military Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Franklin D. Emigh Sr. and the late Vivian Edna (Bowser) Emigh.

She was a 1976 graduate of Kittanning High School.

She worked as a nurse's aide at ACMH for a couple of years before moving to California and working in the rice fields for 18 years. Upon learning of her pregnancy, Ms. Emigh returned to her roots so her child would be raised amongst her extended family.

Ms. Emigh then obtained an associate degree of nursing from Butler County Community College. She was employed for nine years at Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, before working as a visiting nurse through Butler VNA, and then Vandergrift VNA. She was a well-respected and compassionate nurse, often requested by patients.

Ms. Emigh was a gifted artist and poet. She enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping with her ex-husband and forever friend, David Coleman. She savored hosting cookouts with family and friends. She was free-spirited, and was a lover of music, nature and all things great and small, her greatest love and joy being her daughter, Brooke.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her nephew, with whom she felt close.

She is survived by her daughter, Brooke Altyn Emigh of Vandergrift; her brothers, Franklin D. (Jackie) Emigh of Worthington, and Randell J. (Rebecca) Emigh of Texas; her sister, Ruth Emigh (Keith) Schrecengost of Kittanning; and several nephews and nieces.

EMIGH — Per her wishes and by Brooke's request, family and friends of Rita B. Emigh, who died Friday, June 18, 2021, are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, favorite drinks, and join together for a celebration of life memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Ingram Field, 448 Troy Hill Road, Kittanning, with her cousin, Justin T. Bowser, officiating.

A picnic will immediately follow.