Memorial Mass for Rita Marie (nee Wojslaw) Wilkes, 88, of Willoughby, will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Church, 37940 Euclid Ave., Willoughby. (Family and friends to meet at church.)
Rita passed away Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019.
Born July 12, 1931, in Cleveland, she was a lifelong resident of Northern Ohio, and for more than 20 years, had resided at Breckenridge Village in Willoughby.
She was the seventh and youngest child of Agnes and Michael Wojslaw, and a first generation American of immigrants from Poland and Austria.
Rita was the mother of sons, Thomas (Andrea) of San Francisco, Calif., Michael (Johanna) of Chardon, and Kenneth (Theresa) of Tampa, Fla.; daughter, Rita Grace Elrod of Painesville; seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Rita was one of those rare mid-century women who raised three sons and a daughter, as a single mom in the 1950’s. After her sons were off to college and work, Rita went on to earn a degree in nursing, and secure a career as a nurse at hospitals in the greater Cleveland area. She was a special woman who is dearly loved and cherished by her family and many friends. She will be missed, but will live on in their memories and prayers.
Burial will be in Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chester Township.
Arrangements are entrusted to McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Homes in Willoughby and Mentor.
To leave condolences for the family, order flowers or participate in the Memorial Tree Program, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.