Rita Rosler, 100, a lifelong resident of Carbondale, passed away Friday morning at the Allied Skilled Nursing Center. She was the widow of William “Pat” Rosler, a United States Navy veteran of World War II, who passed away in 1994.
Born April 14, 1918, in Carbondale, she was the daughter of the late Timothy and Mary Crane. She was educated in Carbondale schools and was a graduate of the Benjamin Franklin High School. Rita was a devoted member of the St. Rose of Lima Parish, Carbondale, attending Mass daily until the time of her illness. She was a diehard fan of the late John F. Kennedy, Princess Diana and the actress, Shirley Temple. Rita enjoyed her soap operas—her “stories” as she called them—and was a connoisseur of classic films.
Despite several physical setbacks, including receiving back surgery in her 90s, Rita exemplified the notion of willpower. She remained mentally sharp, able to recall memories from her youth with vivid detail—including having initially turned down her future husband Pat’s advances at a water fountain in high school; she wasn’t so easily won over by his well-known athleticism. Talks with Rita meant covering the vast and rich history of the 20th century and into the 21st, detailing which decades she enjoyed the most and why.
A singer in her youth, Rita was her son Jim’s first musical influence and, subsequently, he his son, Daniel’s. She would sing harmony to Patti Page’s “Tennessee Waltz” along with the radio and, a week before her passing, performed the song one final time for the residents of Allied’s Skilled Nursing. She will be loved and missed by all whose lives she touched, cherished but not forgotten.“Don’t forget to tell your favorite people that you love them,” – Shirley Temple.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Allied Skilled Nursing’s 2nd floor south, as well as her caring, long-term, in-home aides, Chana and Susan, for the love and compassion they had shown to Rita.
Surviving are sons, William Rosler, a United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam war, and his wife, Karen, of Elmhurst; and James Rosler of Archbald; grandchildren, Susan Rosler, Daniel Rosler and his companion, Ashley Farrow; and Patrick Rosler; a great-granddaughter, Nora Kate Rosler; two nieces, Arlene Coleman and Mary Lou Speicher and husband, Dr. Carl; a nephew, Paul Gill.
She was also preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Katie Rosler; grandson, Paul Rosler; siblings, Mary Baldwin, Peg Coleman, Nan Gill, Helen Walsh, Toddie, Francis and Paul Crane.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 N. Church St., Carbondale.
Friends may call Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Interment, Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions be made in memory of her daughter-in-law, Katie Rosler, to the Cure Pancreatic Cancer Research Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714.
Joanne Coleman Grossmiller and Family
Rest in Peace Aunt Rita. I know you are with Dad and Grandma having a good visit now. I will miss you and always cherish our memories. I am so very glad we had been able to come celebrate you and your 100th Birthday a few months back.
Love and condolences to our entire family.