Our beloved mother Rita passed away peacefully at home on Thursday April 8, 2021, surrounded by loving family.
She was predeceased by her father Anton Stockhausen, mother Margaret Rita Stockhausen (nee Margaret Hehir), husband Robert John Whalen, siblings Helen (nee Stockhausen) Tevnan, John Stockhausen and her beloved dog Danny Boy.
She is survived by her siblings: Fran (nee Stockhausen) Romeo of Maryland and William Stockhausen (Angela) of Florida; children Dana Whalen (Scott) Whalen of Fla., Dara Whalen of New Jersey, Jon Whalen (Julie) of Virginia and Dawn Canevari (Arthur) of New York.
She was known to her grandchildren as “Nanny” and leaves eight grandchildren; Joe Rutigliano (Alyson) of New York, Darrion Whalen (Kim) of New Jersey, Melissa Rutigliaino (Jared) of Hawaii, Casey Canevari (Christine) of Massachusetts, Ryan Canevari of New York, Chris Canevari of North Carolina, Rachael Rutigliano (Kevin) of Georgia and Jon-Mikel (Samantha) Whalen of Virginia. Her great grandchildren are Owen, Parker, Connor, Colton, Riley, Lucas, Cali and Ivan.
Rita was proud of her varied careers and volunteer work. She worked as a telephone operator, varied positions in banking and as the owner/operator of World Travel Service in Warwick.
Rita attended Orange County Community College and became an EMT in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina at the age of 65.
She was a valued member of the Palm Beach Gardens community policing department at the rank of Sergeant. She loved to volunteer for organizations including Meals on Wheels, Collingswood Manor, and other community organizations.
She had a lifelong love of animals, traveling and especially enjoyed time with all of her family members here and abroad. Rita has family in Ireland and Germany and loved visiting them when she was able.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to organizations important to her such as St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, ASPCA, Food4thepoor, and St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care in Brevard County, Fla.
Rita’s wish is that we hug and kiss our loved ones, play cards, lift a glass, tell funny Rita stories, and hold each other in her memory.
Thank you to Sophia Junz for being her friend and loving us all.
Memorial services will be held at a future time and will follow “Rita’s Rules.”
Arrangements were under the care of Island Cremations & Funeral Home on Merritt Island in Florida.