Obituary of Rita Cerato

Rita E. Cerato, a lifelong Woodbourne resident, passed away on December 13, 2015. She will be dearly missed. Rita was born on September 20, 1918 in Woodbourne, NY to Charles and Frances Rampe Stangel. Rita served her community in many ways, but especially as a teacher. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher’s Honorary Society. She started her career in education at a one room school house in Westbrookville, NY. After teaching in South Fallsburg and Long Island she taught reading at Tri-Valley, for thirty years. Rita was a devout parishioner of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, there she served as a religious education instructor for many years. Even when school was not in session Rita worked with students to advance their skills in reading; teaching at the Summer Program. In her free time, Rita enjoyed traveling all over the world experiencing new cultures in foreign countries. After her retirement Rita was an active member in both the Sullivan County and New York State Retired Teachers Association. Rita was the widow of Frank Cerato who predeceased her in 1974 and who she now joins in heaven. Rita leaves behind her brother, Harold and his wife Connie Stangel; A sister-in-law Dolly Stangel; Many nieces and nephews including Christina, David, Peter, James, Rick, Mike, Donna and Jody; Even more great and great-great nieces and nephews; and her care giver Laura Ronzo. Along with her beloved Frank Rita is predeceased by her brothers Walter Stangel who is buried in France after serving at the Battle of Normandy and Donald Stangel who is buried in Maryland; and her niece Kathleen Stangel. Donations can be made in Rita’s name to a charity of your choice. A wake for Rita will take place at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52 Woodbourne NY, on Wednesday, December 16, from 3 to 5 pm. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 6317 State Route 42 Woodbourne NY, on Thursday at 11 am, Rev. Father John Lynch officiating. A burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Woodbourne.