Rita Ende Benson

Rita Ende Benson, 89, formerly of Elmwood Avenue, passed away Monday afternoon January 11, 2010 at Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center. She was born August 6, 1920 in Meadville, PA a daughter of the late John and Julia Rice Ende.

Rita graduated from Meadville High School in 1938 and St. Vincent's School of Nursing in 1942. She worked as an RN at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles, St. Vincent's Hospital, Elmwood Presbyterian Home, and St. Mary's Home in Erie.

She was a member of Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart parishes. She loved to play cards, work jigsaw puzzles, and shop for bargains, but she was happiest being with her children and grandchildren who adored her.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Albert "Whitey" Benson whom she married in 1943; a son, Paul Albert Benson; a son in law, Timothy L. Dauer; three brothers, Herman, Paul, and Robert Ende; four sisters, Dorothy Pitcairn, Sister Charlene (Ruth) SSJ, Julia Marie Stanford, and Norma Roberts.

Survivors include three sons, Stephen Benson and his wife Barbara, Dave Benson and his wife Kathleen, PhD. and Jack Benson; one daughter, Maryann Benson-Dauer. She is further survived by five grandchildren, Bryan Benson and his wife Heather of Perkasi, PA, Nicole and Alissa Benson of Erie, Maggie, MD and Carrie Benson of Pittsburgh; three great grandchildren, Hannah, Delaney, and Emma Benson; a sister, Gerry Piunno; and a brother, Jay Ende. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Road (corner of East Gore Rd. and Pine Ave.) on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. and are invited to services there on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Community Support Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, 16506.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sarah Reed for the wonderful care Rita was given while a resident.

Send a Sympathy Note

Click here to print this page

Enhance your memorial with a slideshow and video

© DiBello Design - Erie Internet