Obituary of Rita D. Dwyer

Rita Dierdorf Dwyer, born January 3, 1926, in Syracuse, NY, died peacefully on October 15, 2013 in her own bed. She was predeceased by the love of her life, Robert Emmett Dwyer, and was the last of the amazing Dierdorf children, having been predeceased by siblings Dorothy Redington, Henrietta Soukup, Paul Dierdorf, Mary Evans, and Agnes Pelkey. She is survived by her children, of whom she was incredibly proud: Robert (Carole) of Orchard Park, NY; Daniel (Heather Almquist) of Missoula, MO; Shannon (Dan) Russell, of Tucson, AZ; John Scott (Patricia), of Amherst, NY; Kathleen (Martin) Donnelly, of Avoca, NY; Kevin (Brenda) of Voorheesville, NY; Mary Brigid (Matthew) Livingstone, of San Diego, CA; Erin of Rochester, NY, and Sean (Randy Bettis) of New York City. OK, catch your breath, because she is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved lavishly. And every one of those children, their spouses, and their children and grandchildren make someone smile every day. She will also be missed by innumerable nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews, as well as anyone who ever met her. A longtime active parishioner of Saint Mary’s Church, Rita was also an avid volunteer in her community. Following retirement from her career at Columbia Banking as an assistant manager in 1990, Rita generously gave her time to Red Cross, Bath Hope For Youth, Davenport Taylor Auxiliary, Bath Housing Authority, Meals on Wheels, and pretty much anyone who called to say, “Rita, could you …?” Rita will also be missed by her bridge buddies at the Bath Country Club, the Red Hat Society, her Tuesday TOPS group, her book clubs, the Bath Peace and Justice Group, the Dormann Library, as well as many other social groups. She was a busy lady. The celebration of her life will begin with calling hours at Fagan’s Funeral Home on Friday, October 18, at 1 to 3 and 6 to 8, followed by a funeral mass on Saturday at St. Mary’s Church at 10 a.m. The family wishes to thank CareFirst Hospice and appreciates donations made in her honor to them at 11751 E. Corning Road, Corning, NY 14830 or St. John Vianney Parish, 32 E. Morris St., Bath, NY 14810.