Rita A. Thompson

Rita Ann (Danna) Thompson, age 81, died at her home in Bryan, TX on Monday, July 30, 2013. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2:00 P.M., Friday, August 2, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan, with Reverend Monsignor John McCaffrey as Celebrant.

Born October 6, 1931, in Houston, TX, daughter of John and Josephine Danna, she graduated from Incarnate Word High School and attended St. Thomas University in Houston, TX She received her Art degree from Sam Houston State University. Returning to Houston, Rita was a fashion illustrator with Foley’s Department Store and the Houston Chronicle. She owned a retail furniture store in Hunstville, TX for over 30 years, becoming the number one LAZ-Y boy retailer in the region before retiring in Bryan, TX.

Rita devoted her time in Bryan to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mount Carmel Rosary Guild and the lay Carmelites. Her family will most miss her Republican lectures, Saint games, as well as art and poetry lessons. Grandmother Rita, as she was known, will be most remembered for her gentle spirit and gracious nature. Her time on this earth was filled with joy and gratefulness towards God and always in remembrance of her beloved St. Rita.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Sherrie and David Patke of Bryan. Her son William D. Thompson of Corpus Christi, TX and daughter and son-in-law Tracy and Fred Fontana of Bryan. Rita is also survived by her five grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Michael and Patrick Patke, and Celeste, Annalisse and Gianna Fontana all of Bryan.

She is preceded in death by her parents and sister Jean Sandage of Houston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mount Carmel Rosary Guild in care of St. Joseph Catholic Church-Bryan, TX.