Maria Rita Hirsch, 68, passed away February 6th, 2019. Rita was born March 11th, 1950 in Messina, Sicily in Italy. She is survived by her daughter, Anna Maria (Sean) Weber; sons: John (Julie) Hirsch III and Charles (Ashleigh) Hirsch; sister, Katia LoGreco; brothers: Giuseppe LoGreco, Robert (Kim) LoGreco, and Peter (Sienna) LoGreco; her beloved grandchildren: Drew and Gabby Garcia, Scarlett Hirsch, Hayes Weber, and two more expected this summer. Many nieces and nephews have called her Aunt Rita or Zia Rita. She was predeceased by her husband, John F. Hirsch, Jr. and her parents: Gaetano LoGreco and Paola Noto.
Talk about plot twists, Rita’s life was full of them. Born in Italy to a Physician and homemaker, she was brought to the U.S. unexpectedly at the age of 7. She attended boarding school and quickly had to learn English! After college, Rita returned to Sicily to get reacquainted with her Mother. After a couple of years of flirting with Italian men, she met her future husband, a Navy pilot, John Hirsch. After a quick courtship and a wild wedding, John and Rita landed in Chicago and began their life together. With very few dull moments in between, they welcomed three children and built a happy life together in Orange Park, Florida. Rita was an amazing Mother who raised her kids on love, cuddles, and lots of pasta. She spent her free time playing tennis with the other crazy tennis ladies, dressing up in themed costumes with her rowdy book club of 20 years, and volunteering enthusiastically for St. Vincent de Paul through her parish, St. Catherine’s. She also spent a significant amount of time trying to unsuccessfully wrangle her husband (and as we all know, secretly enjoyed it). Rita fought valiantly through two bouts of cancer with her signature strength and grace.
A visitation will be held 6-8 PM Tuesday February 12, 2019 at HARDAGE-GIDDENS RIVERMEAD FUNERAL HOME 127 Blanding Blvd Orange Park, FL 32073. A funeral service will be 10:30 AM Wednesday February 13, 2019 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church 1649 Kingsley Ave Orange Park, FL 32073; a committal service will follow at Jacksonville National Cemetery 4083 Lannie Rd Jacksonville, FL 32218. We invite you to leave words of comfort and fun anecdotes at www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Vincent de Paul via St. Catherine’s Catholic Church are appreciated.
