Rita passed away peacefully with her family by her side after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease at the age of 73.
Rita graduated from Oneonta High School with the Class of 1962.
In her early adult years, while raising her family, she worked with her first husband in the mobile home business. Rita later attended SUNY Oneonta; earning her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. She then established the first Human Resource department for Graham Laboratories mastering the complex Labor Laws. Also, while employed with Dr. Graham, she created an Employee Day Care Center; writing several grants. After her career with Graham Laboratories she worked in real estate and was employed by The Benson Agency. Rita was an avid gardener- she loved flowers, bird watching and rooting for her beloved Yankees.
Rita is survived by her husband, Rick of Davenport; daughter, Laurenda Denmark and her son, Cameronallyn of Trumansburg; son, Christopher Rawls and his wife, Robyn, their children, Maya, Schuyler and Evangeline of Poughkeepsie; sister, Carol Harrington of Oneonta; her first husband, Robert Rawls of Poughkeepsie. Her family in Texas includes her sister, Karen (Danoff) Romano and her husband, Richard; niece, Jennifer and her husband, Gerris.
Rita is predeceased by her father, Simeon; mother, Loretta and brother, Joe Danoff.
Rita was an energetic and compassionate person whose family was most important to her. Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta NY 13820, Hospices of Ithaca, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca NY 14850 or the Alzheimer's Association.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz Street, Oneonta.
For online condolences to her family, visit www.lhpfuneralhome.com