Rita Theresa Malecki McPherson

Rita Malecki McPherson, 92, passed peacefully on May 9, 2023 at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community. She was born in Schenectady NY on December 4, 1930 and was the daughter of the late Thomas Malecki and Mary Lisowicz. Rita was preceded in death by her beloved husband Edwin McPherson and her beloved brothers Father John Malecki and Gerald Malecki. Father John would routinely read his homilies to Rita on Saturday night in preparation for his Sunday services.

Rita served as a high school English teacher for many years in upstate New York and in Virginia where she was well loved by students and staff. After moving to North Carolina, Rita worked as a Research Assistant at MCNC where she helped many people find valuable information in their extensive library.

Rita loved to travel and had many memorable trips around the U.S. with her devoted husband Edwin and his delightful sisters, Lilian Anne Moses and Lucille Skellie and their loving husbands Charles Moses and Fred Skellie. She also loved Scrabble where her extensive vocabulary made her a formidable player.

After she moved to Springmoor, Rita remained close to her former neighbor and faithful friend, Bob Collins, who helped her in many ways including frequently supplying her with books that she read voraciously. Rita was well loved at Springmoor and was most grateful for the compassionate care she received from dedicated staff and loyal friends.

Rita is survived by her stepchildren Edwin Malcolm McPherson and his wife Sara McPherson of Atlanta, GA., Ramsey McPherson of Sarasota, FL, and Elizabeth Ward of Alexandria, VA. She was the cherished grandmother of Justin McPherson (Robin), Tiffanie McPherson Miller (Ryan), Lance McPherson (Cecile), Ryan McPherson (Rachel), and Sean Ward (Nicola). She was blessed to have thirteen great grandchildren, Jenna, Wesley, Liza, Gabriel (Briana), Patrick, Katherine, Colin, Dorian, Arthur, Violet, Nora, Wilfred and Nathan who preceded her in death and one great, great grandchild, Penelope. She is also survived by her niece Karyne Miller and her nephew Karl Malecki.

There will be a service for Rita at Christ Church on Capitol Square, 120 Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC on Sunday May 28 at 12:00 pm with burial in the church garden at 12:30 pm and a reception at the church at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Christ Church on Capitol Square, 120 E Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 and to St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 804 High House Road, Cary, NC 27513.