Rita A. Ricci, 88, Kokomo, passed away at 2:37 a.m. Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Waterford Health Campus in Kokomo.

She was born July 19, 1929, in Logansport, the daughter of the late Paul and Katherine (Champion) Gormley. On July 7, 1956, in Logansport, she married C. Robert "Bob" Ricci, and he survives.

Rita attended St. Vincent's School and graduated from Logansport High School in 1947. Upon graduation, she worked at Logan Machine in Logansport. When Rita and Bob started a family, she was a homemaker until her children were grown. After raising her children, she worked at her home parish of St. Patrick Catholic Church holding several positions including Director of Religious Education. Rita did not consider this "work," but a labor of love in serving others.

Those touched by Rita will fondly remember her infectious smile, and gentle, yet playful nature. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Rita will be dearly missed by her family.

Along with her husband, C. Robert Ricci, Rita is also survived by her children, Jerome (Paula) Ricci, Paula (Jeff) Butcher, Rene (Randall) Strause, and Marta (Mark) Laubenstein; grandchildren, Alexis Ricci, Marissa Vehslage, Katherine Ricci, Nathan Butcher, Leah Parker, Randall Strause Jr., Austin Strause, Cameron Strause, Anna Laubenstein and Amy Jo Laubenstein; great-grandchildren, Teddy and Lucy Butcher, and Jack Parker.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings, Mary Gormley, Paul Gormley, and Margaret Terry.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the care that was given to Rita while a resident at Waterford Place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, June 22, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1229 N. Washington St., Kokomo, with the Rev. Frs. Brian Dudzinski and Theodore Dudzinski the celebrants. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with a scripture offering at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church religious education.

Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.