Rita Tomashitis

Rita (Vaitekunas) Tomashitis,83, passed away Monday evening, May 25, in Reading Hospital. Born in Baltimore, Md., September 15, 1925, Rita was raised in Mount Carmel, PA and graduated from Mount Carmel Township HS in 1944. Following her marriage on August 14, 1946, she lived most of her adult life in Ashland, PA working as a sewing machine operator in the Ashland Knitting Mill. After her husband, Charles G., died in 1978, she worked in the Ashland Shirt Factory. As a member of St. Joseph Church, Ashland, she was active in the Friends of St. Joseph as well as being a member of the Ashland Senior Citizens. Singing was one of her talents and she loved to dance, especially the polka. She was proud of the fact that she had traveled to almost all 50 states including Hawaii. In her later years she became an avid reader as well as an ardent supporter of the Mets. Mrs. Tomashitis spent her last two years living in Spring Township with her daughter and the last six months in Manor Care of Sinking Spring. She is survived by her daughter, Rita, of Spring Township, and her son Charles J. and his wife Theresa of Ashland. In addition to her husband , Charles, she was predeceased by her grandmother, Eva Vaitekunas; her brother, Thomas; her aunt, Julia Connerton; and her friend and companion, John Abrasonis. Whelan and Schwartz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Funeral services will be private and held in Schuylkill County at the convenience of the family.