Rita Grace (Silvis) Walther, 89, of Blairsville (Derry Twp.), gently fell into the arms of her Jesus on Friday, November 1, 2019 in Loyalhanna Care Center, Latrobe.
The beloved daughter of Raymond G. Silvis and Gladys M. (Brownley) Silvis, she was born in Dubois, PA on January 12, 1930.
Rita graduated from Bradford High School, Class of 1947. She was also a graduate of Mason-Felix Beauty School in Pittsburgh. She worked as a beautician for many years.
She was a former member of SS Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church. She was an avid gardener, had a love of animals and a deep appreciation of nature. She also enjoyed vending at flea markets, and her additional hobbies included canning, holiday decorating, and baking. Rita had a fabulous singing voice and passed along her love of music to her children.
Rita’s extended family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Patty and Richard Quick and the many kind and compassionate caregivers at Loyalhanna Care Center, as well as the entire Excela Hospice Team.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her sons, Gary Mongelli (Grace) of Suamico, WI, and William Mongelli (Marci) of Norton, MA; daughters, Tamsen Mongelli DiBlasio (John) of Baltimore, MD, and Lisa Benham of Orlando, FL; grandchildren, Robert Mongelli, Gary Mongelli, Jr., Eric Mongelli, Joanna Smith, Andrew Tripp, Lauren Tripp, Talia Hammen and Tristen Benham; great-grandchildren, Luke Mongelli, Jake Mongelli, Maya Mongelli, Rhyan Mongelli, Abigayle Mongelli, Natalia McMannis, and Jackson Hoover.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband John E. Walther, Jr, and a brother, Ronald R. Silvis.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Tuesday in the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut Street, Blairsville, PA. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM in the funeral home with Fr. Stephen R. Bugay officiating.
A private interment will be in SS Simon and Jude Cemetery, Blairsville, PA.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her name to the COPD Foundation. 3300 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33134, or to Excela Health Home Care and Hospice, 134 Industrial Park Road, Greensburg, PA 15601.
