Mary Rita Burke Smith

Mary Rita Burke Smith, age 85, of Eagles Mere, PA, and St. Petersburg, FL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg, FL, with her loving family at her side.   Rita was born on March 26, 1932 in New York, NY, a daughter of the late Thomas Michael & Margarita Dunne Burke. She was raised by her father and step-mother, Bridget Agnes Burke on a dairy farm in Sugar Ridge.  She graduated from St. Basil’s High School, Dushore, PA a member of the class of 1949. She then went on to graduate from Marywood University, Scranton, PA with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.           She devoted her life to the care and well-being of her nine children.  She worked outside the home as a Social Worker for Sullivan County Children and Youth Services in her earlier years and later as a Teacher.  She was a member of the Sonestown American Legion Post 601.           She was a member of St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, PA.   She enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family, and helping others.  She also enjoyed discussing current events.   She is survived by her spouse Robert O. Smith currently a resident of St. Petersburg FL and a former resident of Eagles Mere, PA.   Also surviving are: Three sons: Thomas Smith,                                       Laporte, PA Robert Smith,                                         Jonestown, PA Daniel (Jan) Smith,                                Overton, PA   Five daughters: Patricia (Paul) Boswell,                          New Smyrna Beach, FL Dr. Mary Rita (Dan) Weller,                  Wernersville, PA Kathleen Smith,                                      St. Petersburg, FL Rose Marie (Louis) Gansell,                  Unityville, PA Maureen Smith,                                      St. Petersburg, PA     She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.           Besides her parents she was predeceased by a son, John Dennis Smith on October 30, 2015, a sister, Kathleen Mary Burke Cullen on January 7, 1989, a daughter-in-law, Barbara Michen on November 24, 2015, and a nephew, Francis Edward Cullen on July 31, 1977.    A Transferal Service will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 9:30 A.M. from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA and will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. at St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, PA with the Rev. Richard Rojas, pastor, presiding. Entombment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wyoming, PA.   Friends and family may call on Monday, August 21st, 2017 at the funeral home from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.   To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Rita Burke Smith, please visit our flower store.