Condolences
I met Rita at the SPCA when she volunteered at the Petique. She was always concerned about others and their animals. She was interested in current affairs and about the people she cared about. She was truly a remarkable woman and will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss and am thinking of you during this difficult time.
I have know Rita for many years through my wife Marianne.
She was a very intelligent woman and cared for many things including her garden, her cats, her family, the Catholic church the Republican party and everything about Buffalo. Her son, John, who called her the Chamber of Commerce of Buffalo.
I will always remember the time Marianne and I came for a visit from Seattle and found her distressed about her cat that had gone missing. She had looked for a cat for most of the day and even had posted bulletins around the Village where she lived. Later on as we were talking I sat on her couch and immediately jumped up as I felt something moving under me. Pulling back the cover on the couch out jumped her missing feline to the relieve of everyone, including me for not squishing the cat when I sat down.
Rita will be missed by family and her many friends, but will live forever in our hearts forever.
From: "Ish Munjal" >
To: "mjlankes@yahoo.com" <mjlankes@yahoo.com>
Sent: Mon, Sep 23, 2019 at 11:29 PM
Subject: Re: In memorium of Rita
Dear Mark: I could not help writing a few lines for Rita:
Rita was my first American friend I met at UB fifty years ago in Jan. 1969 when I came from India for a doctoral program in English Education. In a class on History of American Education,my first class, I was sitting all alone in my Indian outfit in a corner,totally lost.The professor gave an assignment for which it was required to do research in a library. At the end of the class, Rita who was sitting on the other end -there were about 100+students- walked upto me, introduced herself and asked if I would like to go with her to the Down Town library. As I had no car, she offered to pick me up. The rest is history.we became friends until death did us part. The following lines express the pivotal role she played in my life:
RITA:
- I will miss you deeply
-I will miss your kind,courteous, and gentle demeanor
-I will miss your generosity and hospitality
-I will miss your boundless curiosity and knowledge of the world
-I will miss our long, interesting, and constructive discussions on current affairs
-I will miss your Thanksgiving and Christmas parties with your family
-I will miss your selflessness,helpfulness, and volunteering for the needy friends and the community
-I will miss your love of animals
-I will miss the pride in your voice while sharing accomplishments of your children, grand children, and great grand children
Rita: you have left a big void in my life. Your happy and cherished memories will always stay with me.I thank the Almighty God for blessing me with your unconditional love and friendship. You were a rare gem . May your soul rest in peace! Amen!
Mark: if I were there I would have liked to read it at the service. But, if possible, can someone read on my behalf? Your Mom was a complete woman,a great mother,grandmother and great grandmother, an ideal friend,teacher,
volunteer and citizen,an accomplished professional.Pleasemake changes where needed.I write with one finger so excuse my mistakes.
Please extend mine. Kavita,and Aman's condolences to all family members. Thank you
I have not known Rita for a long time. I first met her just 4 or 5 years ago. It did not take very long for me to get to know her, nor for her to make a lasting impression on my life. She was a most impressive woman. Smart, caring, giving and totally immersed in life. I will miss her yet I know that I carry her with me always in my heart.
Dear Rita's family, I am truly sorry for your loss. Rita was my prayer partner @ Adoration in Christ the King chapel. She was also my friend, my confidante, my sister-in-Christ and I miss her presence when I am there on Saturday night. She was a loving, giving and wonderful woman and I was blessed to have known her. I will not be able to make the wake or funeral but I just wanted you to know that she will be forever in my heart. Rest in God's peace, Rita. You were a faithful servant.