Rita Anne Zumello's Obituary
Our beloved mother Rita Anne Zumello (Panigal) was born on May 22nd, 1939 (St. Rita’s Day). Rita was born in the home of her parents Frank and Angelina Panigal in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Rita had a brother Frank Panigal Jr. who is deceased.
Our beloved mother Rita was 81 years old when God called her to be in heaven to join her true love Joseph “Joe” Zumello. They had 53 years of marriage living and raising their family in San Diego in the community of Bay Park. Now she is “Together Forever” with our Father Joe.
Our beloved mother Rita has two surviving children Marla and Joseph “Joey” Zumello and two beautiful grandchildren Javanna Theresa Zumello and Ava Belle Studey. Along with many extended family members, friends, and neighbors that will miss her and have joyful memories in their hearts.
Rita’s first job was at age sixteen in 1953 as a meat cutter all through high school. She then did waitressing/traveling in the Pocono Mountains and New York. She then returned to Greensburg a few years later and received her AA in secretarial office skills.
Rita vacationed to San Diego in August 1964 to visit family and meet with an old neighbor from her childhood, our father Joe Zumello. On their third date Rita proposed to Joe. They flew back to Greensburg and got married three months later on October 24, 1964. Then moved to San Diego to raise their family in Bay Park.
Our beloved mother had many passions but her priority was her faith in God being raised Catholic, the power of prayer, and praying the Rosary.
Rita enjoyed volunteering at the little league baseball snack shack at Tecolote Park, participating in fund raisers for Tecolote Youth Baseball, and volunteering numerous events at Bay Park Elementary School and St. Mary Magdeleine Church. We cannot express enough the many hours of phone calls and meal preparations that Rita did for a families dealing with a loss or sickness. Rita had a joy for music as she sung in many church and school choirs at St. Mary Magdeleine Church. In 1964 to 1968 Rita performed at the “Opera House” in Balboa Park. Rita volunteered for “Meals On Wheels” for fifteen years. Rita enjoyed gardening and
gathering with friends and neighbors for lunch having tea or coffee. Rita enjoyed nature especially baby animals, birds, and hummingbirds.
Rita started the “Rosary Makers” of St. Mary Magdeleine Church and was involved with it for over thirty years. In 1995 St. Mary Magdeleine Church received a request from the San Diego Chargers Football team for Rosaries. The Rosary Makers made them, had them blessed, and then hand delivered them to the Chargers before they played the Superbowl vs. the 49ers. The Rosary Makers mailed rosaries around the world to areas that were desperate for food, clean water, shelter, and medicine. The rosaries give prayer, hope, and faith in God.
Our beloved mother battled with dementia and in June 2020 she was placed in a Senior Nursing Home (memory care). Unfortunately, Rita got the COVID-19 virus and it was a battle that she could not overcome. Our mother was not afraid of death as she believed with her faith. Our mother is at peace in heaven and no more battles.
The nursing home’s staff shared with us that she continued her passion for singing, playing the piano, making friendships with other residents and staff, a prayer partner, and to some of the staff a “Second Mother” of extending love and prayer to them when needed during a difficult time.
The Zumello Family appreciates the heartfelt sympathy cards, letters, gifts, flowers, and donations to the Alzheimers Society. We are so thankful for family, friends, and neighbors.
The Zumello family offers to anyone that would like to post any memories of our beloved mother Rita on this website.
Service day/time and location are posted here. Please be sure to follow COVID protocols by wearing masks and sitting at every other pew.
Sincerely,
Marla and Joey Zumello
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