Death Notice - Rita Marie Blissert, 97, of Yonkers, died Thursday, Feb. 26, after a brief illness. Born in New York City on Dec. 10, 1917 to Francis T. Blissert and Mary Clarke Blissert, Rita spent most of her childhood in Mt. Vernon. During her life, she also lived in Manhasset; in New York City; at Heritage Village in Southbury, Connecticut; and most recently, the 5-Star Premium Residences in Yonkers. Following her graduations from A.B. Davis High School in Mt. Vernon and the Katherine Gibbs School, Rita began working for American Telephone and Telegraph Co. (AT&T) in New York City. During her 37-year career, she worked in numerous secretarial positions, including in the executive offices. She retired from AT&T in 1974.
During World War II, Rita took leave from AT&T to join the U.S. Navy WAVES, where she served for three years as an air traffic controller at the naval base in Pensacola, Florida. Rita was an avid reader, traveler and bridge player. She traveled all over the United States, Canada and Europe and made visits to Egypt, the Holy Land and Brazil. She was devoted to her family and always took the time to write a thoughtful letter or return a phone call. She had a keen sense of humor, and was the very definition of “spirited” right up to the end.
Rita was predeceased by two brothers, Robert Blissert, and Rev. Richard C. Blissert, CSsR, sister-in-law, Virginia M Blissert, and Perry Burns, spouse of niece, Joan. She is survived by six nieces: Barbara Blissert of Pleasanton, CA; Joan Burns of Greenwich, CT; Mary (William) Kelly of Boston, MA; Kathleen (Joseph) Rooney of Bellevue, WA; Frances (Michael) McCutchin of Irvine, CA; and Virginia (Keith) Bachman of New Canaan, CT; 10 great-nieces and nephews; and 4 great-great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace chapel at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, with her burial immediately following. Arrangements are by Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home of Bronx, N.Y.