Rita Elizabeth Kelly

Rita is survived by her husband, John; her children, Pam Deeter (Tom) Houston , TX, Patrick Kelly (Janice) Marietta, OH, and John Kelly (Jodie, Fiancee) Montclair, VA ; 5 grandchilren, Patrick James Kelly, Kristel Kelly Luczak (Ron), Katelyn Kelly, Julie Deeter, and Merrilee Deeter Colunga (Jacob); 4 great granchildren, Colton Luczak, Mason Luczak, Jackson Luczak, and Lily Colunga. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Rita was born on April 2, 1921 in Buffalo, NY to Patrick and Helen Clerkin. She graduated from the College of Mount St Vincent, Riverdale, NY in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She married her husband John, a West Point military officer in 1943 in Central Islip, NY. They would have been married for 72 years in September. The family moved and lived in a number of locations with the military before settling in Alexandria, VA. Rita is a retired Earth Science and Chemistry teacher from Groveton High School, Fairfax County, VA.

Rita was an active and dedicated member of St Louis Catholic Church and taught CCD for 32 years.

A visitation will be held at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St, Alexandria, VA on September 3, 2015 from 2-4PM and 6-8PM with a Rosary at 7:00 pm . A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Louis Catholic Church 2907 Popkins Lane, Alexandria VA on Friday, September 4, 2015 at 12:30 pm, with a reception to follow at St Louis Walsh Hall. Father Wilhelm Ettner will officiate the ceremony. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Rita Kelly’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mount Saint Vincent College, 6301 Riverdale Avenue, New York, NY 10471, www.mountsaintvincent.edu or to the SPCA. Condolences can be sent to, www.deaminefuneralhomes.com. The family would like to thank all The FAIRFAX staff for their support and efforts during Rita’s illness.