 |
Rita Marie Goeke, 87, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, Feb. 3, 2016, in a care home in Tucson, Ariz.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 27, 1928, to the late Harold and Rita Sexton Delaney, she spent her formative years in that city and graduated from high school in 1946. She moved to Columbus to attend St. Mary’s of the Springs College (now Ohio Dominican University), and obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1950. She married OSU graduate, Richard Goeke, on Nov. 25, 1950, and he preceded her in death June 10, 1976.
Rita is survived by a son, Kevin (Lorraine) Goeke of Rio Verde, Ariz.; a brother, William (Merce) Delaney of Potomac Falls, Va.; two grandsons, Steve of Atlanta and Joseph of Dublin, Ohio; sister-in-law, Jean (John) Tattershall of Lexington, Ky.; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Rita resided in Bellefontaine for more than 50 years and was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. She worked more than 20 years as a social worker in Logan County.
Mrs. Goeke followed sports, enjoyed traveling and was an avid birdwatcher. Following retirement, she was active as a volunteer with her church and with Mary Rutan Hospital, until her health declined.
The Rev. Shawn Landenwitch presides over a Funeral Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Bellefontaine.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Relief Services, 100 E. 8th St. Cincinnati OH 45202; and Doctors Without Borders, USA, 337 7th Ave., New York NY 10001-5004.
Condolences may be expressed at www.edsfh.com.