MIDLOTHIAN, VA – Rita M. Strniste, of Midlothian, VA, formerly of Westfield, MA passed away on April 24, 2013. Rita was the daughter of the late Alfred A. and Mary Ziessel Bernard of Holyoke, MA. Rita was a voracious reader, enjoyed playing cards and gardening and was devoted to her family and the Catholic Church all her life. Her gentle, loving, calm demeanor and ready smile will be missed by all fortunate enough to have known her.She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Charles E. Strniste; and brothers, Raymond J. Bernard and Paul A. Bernard. Rita is survived by her three children, Charles A. Strniste and wife, Mary, of North Scituate, RI, Phillip B. Strniste and wife, Gwen Snyder, of Fairhope, AL, and Elaine R. DeMarco and husband, Dominick DeMarco Jr., of Richmond, VA. She was a proud grandmother of Jason C. Strniste of Dover, NH, Marissa J. Strniste of New York, NY, Dominick DeMarco III of Richmond, VA and the late Kristen M. Strniste of North Scituate, RI. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Jane Rogers and husband, William G. Rogers, of South Hadley, MA; a sister-in-law, Florence Morawiec of Westfield, MA and many nieces and nephews who remember her fondly and with love.
The family wishes to thank the kind and dedicated staff of Morningside of Bellgrade, the Laurels of Bon Air, and most importantly the doctors, nurses and staff of St. Francis Medical Center for their exceptional care of Rita.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church on Friday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. There will be a ceremony followed by interment in Westfield, MA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Palliative Care Unit of Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center, 13710 St. Francis Blvd., Midlothian, VA 23113.
