Rita I. Gasparin

Rita I. (Donaldson) Gasparin, 94, of Springfield, passed away on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Mill Creek Alzheimers Center. Rita was born September 16, 1923 in Nokomis, the daughter of Frank and Matilda Mast Donaldson, and raised by her loving guardians, Frances Cross and Patrick Cray. She married Stephen Gasparin, a United States Veteran, on May 18, 1946 in Kincaid; he preceded her in death. Rita was a graduate of Taylorville High School. She started her career working at Illinois Consolidated as an Operator and then for Sangamo Electric in Springfield. Rita then stayed at home to raise her children and later worked at Zales and Sangamo Electric in North Carolina, where she worked until she retired. She was a terrific dancer, an incredible seamstress, and enjoyed tending to her rose garden. Rita was famous for her fried chicken, pasta, and pies. She was also preceded in death by her parents; six siblings; and several half siblings. She is survived by her children, Pamela (husband, John M.) Crombie of Winthrop Harbor and Rick Gasparin (partner, Linda Whitehead) of Springfield; three grandchildren, Carla (husband, Dan) Fitzgerald of Springfield, Kimberly Czech, M.D., PhD of Chicago, and Katherine Crombie of Chicago; four great-grandchildren, Ryan, Connor, Kyle, and Anna Fitzgerald; two half-brothers, David Donaldson and Andrew Donaldson; and step-brother, Bob Millburg. Ritas family would like to thank the staff at Mill Creek for their loving care and compassion. Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. with a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th Street, Springfield, with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Kenosha Forgotten Friends, P.O. Box 831, Kenosha, WI 53141 or by visiting www.kenoshaforgottenfriends.org. Kenosha Forgotten Friends is an organization to help give pets that need a new home and family the opportunity for a second chance.