Rita P. Rasmussen

RITA P. RASMUSSEN

2/25/44 – July 12, 2018

Rita P. Rasmussen of Callicoon, passed away July 12, 2018  in Sullivan County Adult Care Center following a brief illness.

Born February 25, 1944 in Hoboken, NJ as an underweight preemie, Rita was the first of eight (8) children born to Rita and Paul Rasmussen.

Despite her early arrival, Rita quickly caught up and went on to excel in school and music.  Upon graduation from DVCS, Rita entered SUNY Fredonia and graduated cum laude as a music teacher.  Armed with her new degree Rita got a job in the Coxsackie-Athens School District where she was working at the time her kidney’s failed in 1970 from SLE.  From 1970 to 1976 Rita was on hemodialysis until her kidney transplant on June 13, 1976.  After a lengthy recovery period, Rita returned to work as an elementary music teacher until her retirement in 1996.

Although Rita never had the joy of children of her own, she loved children dearly and championed the rights of the unborn.

Rita filled her retirement years with genealogy research and travel until her health began to fail her again. 

Throughout all her travails, Rita maintained a positive attitude and a belief that she would prevail with the grace of God.

Rita is survived by seven siblings and their spouses:  Paul James & Kathy Rasmussen – Winchester, VA, Raymond & Leilani Rasmussen- Salem, NY, Theodore & Sharon Rasmussen -Gloucester, VA, Virginia & Eric Andkjar -Charlottesville, VA, Rosemary & Robert A. Ferrantello- Fort Mill, SC, Roy & Donna Rasmussen - Fort Mill, SC,  Loretta & Alan Beckett- Ardmore, PA; nineteen nieces and nephews and fourteen grand nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Sunday July 15, 2018 at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home 34 Upper Main Street Callicoon, New York from 4 to 7 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday July 16, 2018 at Holy Cross Church, 9719 Rte. 97Callicoon, NY  12723 at 10AM followed by internment in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Creamery Road, Callicoon, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New York State Right to Life Committee.

For directions or to leave a condolence please visit stewartmurphyfh.com.

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