Rita Mae Decaria

Mrs. Rita Mae DeCaria a former longtime resident of Canton, Ohio and resident of North Fort Myers since 1988 passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at the Salterra of Fort Myers Retirement Community. She was 98 years old.

Mrs. DeCaria was born on March 25, 1927 in Louisville, Ohio and was the beautiful daughter to the late Lorena (Haidet) and Rudolph Muhleman. She was an employee for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, better known as A & P, for over 38 years before earning her much-deserved retirement on August 10, 1985. Rita was blessed to find her soulmate at the beginning of her golden years and became the beautiful bride to Mr. Frank A. "Cheech" DeCaria, Sr. on January 15, 1989.

Rita and Frank enjoyed a very energetic and entertaining life together and the couple were active participants in many civic and fraternal causes including being members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. The couple also loved to dance and would often be seen cutting the rug at the Cape Coral Italian American Club. Rita also enjoyed playing cards, participating in events with the Ladies Red Hat Society and being friendly to the many children, tourists and locals who enjoyed visiting the Shell Factory, a classic roadside attraction in Southwest Florida many considered an institution. She greatly enjoyed her family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she found great pleasure in helping others. She treasured the time she enjoyed in Florida with her husband and the many great adventures they shared with family.

Mrs. DeCaria is survived by her daughter Lisa (Arthur "Skip") Hazen; grandchildren Arthur (Natalie) Hazen Jr., and Kyle (Michelle) Hazen; great-grandchildren Vita, Stella, Brooklyn and Lucas Hazen; her sisters Rosie, Eileen, Emma, Helen and Betty and her brothers Amos and Paul. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, a special and treasured family member in Sandra Moore, a great number of extended family members and countless others who were proud to call her a friend. Rita will be fondly missed and warmly remembered by everybody she knew. Sadly, she was preceded in death by her loving husband Frank who died on August 3, 2022.

Immediate funeral ceremonies are private. Arrangements for Rita's Final care have been entrusted to Coral Ridge Funeral Home in Cape Coral, Florida. To share a story or tribute or to offer condolences to the family, please visit Rita's memorial webpage at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/12666299 and sign her electronic guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, please instead consider a contribution in Mrs. DeCaria's memory to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), 375 Kings Highway North, Suite B, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08034, www.mymsaa.org, (800) 532-7667.

A Memorial Funeral Mass for Mrs. DeCaria is being planned for a future date and will be celebrated at the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church, 415 4th Street, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania 16117, (724) 758-7587.  Please check with a family member or back on this webpage for further information about this ceremony which will be posted when more details become available.