On February 21, 2021, Rita Frances Cook, age 90, daughter of the late Roman and Josephine Swigon and loving wife of the late Raymond T. Cook, Jr. Devoted Mother of Thomas (Kimberly), Michael (Michele), Andrew (Deborah), Brian, Jan (Sheila) and the late Franklin (Cathy). Also survived by 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Dear friend of Anna Ashburn. Rita attended the former St. Stanislaus Kostka School and was proud of her Polish heritage. She graduated from St. Michael Business School for Girls and went to work for Stewart’s Department store. She met her future husband while roller skating at the Coliseum on Monroe Street. Rita and Ray raised six sons in the Hampden neighborhood. After the birth of her first son, Rita became a homemaker and taught her boys to cook, do laundry, clean the house, sew and iron.
Rita was a parishioner of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church for 64 years. She was a member of the Mother’s Club, Ladies’ Guild and a youth group counselor. She raised funds for her church by operating a “grab bag” stand called Santa’s Sleigh at the annual Christmas Bazaar, selling baskets at Easter and by sponsoring bus trips to local tourist spots and casinos. She was a bingo enthusiast.
When her sons joined the cub scouts, Rita became a den mother; when they graduated to the boy scouts, she volunteered as cook for the entire troop during their annual summer camps.
A compassionate and giving person, Rita lived by the Golden Rule. She regularly donated to her church and to charities such as the Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, the USO and the Helping Up Mission. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and contributed to many school fundraisers to support them. Rita was hugger at the Special Olympics and a cancer survivor.
Family and friends are invited to gather at the Burgee Henss Seitz Funeral Home, Inc. 3631 Falls Road Baltimore, MD 21211 on Thursday from 3-5 and 7-9 P.M. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with family only on Friday at 10:00 A.M. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church 1008 West 37th Street Baltimore, MD 21211. For those not able to attend the Church, the Mass will be live streamed at www.aquinasbmore.org
Interment in St. Stanislaus Cemetery
Please omit flowers. Donations may be made in Rita’s name to the Maryland Special Olympics or to Saint Thomas Aquinas Church.
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