Obituaries

January 4th, 2022

Rita Mae Woods (nee DiGuiseppe), age 89, of Long Neck, DE and formerly of Linwood, PA quietly drew her last breath on December 31 while holding hands with her beloved husband Tom at her side at Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg, in Bethlehem, PA. Bolstered by her strong Catholic faith, she faced her last few days with dignity and the knowledge she gave the world and her family all that she could. She was never judgmental and was accepting of all.

Rita was born in Altoona, PA in May 1932 into a close-knit Italian family and neighborhood that provided her the upbringing that molded her into the hard-working, value minded, strong willed woman that we came to know. After graduating high school, her family moved to the Chester, PA area where Rita found employment at GM Stahl Co. and eventually met the love of her life, Tom in 1952. They married the following year and for 68 wonderful years enjoyed a beautiful and adventurous life together. Over the years they traveled to many places. Vacationing in places from Hawaii to the Caribbean not to mention the frequent family trips to visit relatives in Baltimore and West Virginia. Initially going to work part time as a cashier, Rita worked for the A&P and Super Fresh stores in Aston and Wilmington for 30 years as a full- time employee. She became the best MomMom in the world to her grandchildren when she babysat them on her days off and jumped on any chance she could. She never said NO when asked to watch her grandkids.

Rita and Tom lived in Linwood for close to 40 years before retiring to Delaware in 1996. In her 20 plus retirement years, Rita did not live a reticent life. She was an avid pinochle player and was involved in various card clubs. After having heart bypass surgery, she volunteered after her own recovery at the Beebe Hospital Cardiac Rehab Unit. She knitted afghans and sweaters, was a persistent puzzle builder, and a whiz at casino computer games. At night she would curl up on her chair and watch Hallmark movies and eat caramel popcorn. She supported many charities and kept in touch with family and friends from afar with her Facebook page. She was a good neighbor and a great cook. Most of all Rita was proud of her children and her grandchildren’s academic accomplishments and artistic and athletic endeavors.

Rita leaves behind her husband, Tom; her son Thomas Jr. and his wife Joanne of Linwood; her daughter Anita and her husband Harry of Ridley Park; her six grandchildren Jennifer (Ryan), Kristin (Nellie), Kellianne, Caitlin (Chris), David (Colleen), & Zachary; also, seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and her brother Jack DiGuiseppe. She joins in heaven her parents Oreste and Carmella DiGuiseppe; her sister Nancy DiIorio; and her brother Ernie DiGuiseppe. Visitation will be held at St. John Fisher RC Church in Boothwyn on Friday January 7 between 10am and 11am. A Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 11am. Celebrant will be her great nephew Fr. Damien Brian Breen. Burial will be at the family’s convenience at the VA Cemetery in Millsboro, DE at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Hospital for Children or the Alzheimer’s Association in Rita’s memory.