Rita J. Retort 1930-2025

Born Aug. 23, 1930, in Lowellville, Rita was the daughter of the late Calogero and Gaetana DeMarco Tomasino. A graduate of Lowellville High School, she spent her early years in Lowellville and Hillsville, Pa., before settling in Struthers.

Rita was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-great-grandmother whose greatest joy came from caring for her family. She was deeply proud of her children and generations of descendants who brought her constant joy. She was never happier than when she was preparing for a family visit or holiday, and always made sure everything was perfect for everyone.

She worked for Kmart in Boardman for 24 years, starting as a clerk and rising to the position of supervisor before retiring in 1997. Rita was admired for her work ethic, leadership and kindness by colleagues and customers alike. After retirement, Rita met for monthly lunches with former colleagues she called “the Kmart girls” and enjoyed bus trips ranging from local day trips to longer trips further away, such as her trip in 1993 to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with her daughter and grandson.

A woman of strong faith, Rita was an active member of Christ Our Savior Parish-St. Nicholas Church in Struthers, where she found spiritual strength and community. She attended Mass weekly and found deep comfort in her Catholic faith throughout her life. After she was unable to attend local Mass, she enjoyed the Eternal Word Network broadcasts of services and was a fan of Mother Angelica, whose programs would uplift her daily.

She is survived by her children, Francis D. (Debbie) Retort of Ravenna and Rosina G. Bancroft of Struthers; three grandchildren, Melissa Retort of Cleveland, Stephanie (David) Lindsay of Amherst and Bryan Bancroft of Houston, Texas; four great-grandchildren, Preston Retort, Dalton Lindsay, Gavin Lindsay and Dawson Lindsay; and one great-great-grandson, Wesley Brady Retort.

Rita was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 38 years, Francis R. Retort, whom she married Oct. 21, 1950; her siblings, Anna (Fred) Costello, Mary (Rocco) Schiavello, Carmella (Arthur)Yannucci and Frank (Carmella) Tomasino; and cousins, James (Janie) Crapiticio, Mary (John) Moretti and Josephine (Emil) Tondy.

Family and friends may call 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2025, at Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland.

A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Christ Our Savior Parish-St. Nicholas Church, 764 Fifth St., Struthers, with Fr. Zachary Coulter officiating.

Interment will follow in Lake Park Cemetery in Youngstown.

To share memories and condolences, please visit www.beckerobits.com.

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