Patricia A. Ritacca, 80, of Kenosha, passed away on Friday, January 15, 2010, at Brookside Care Center. Born in Kenosha on March 16, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Warren and Stella Marie (Cable) McAllister. She was a lifelong resident of Kenosha; she attended St. James Grade School and was a graduate of St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, WI. On February 7, 1948, she married Anthony L. “Tony” Ritacca at St. James Catholic Church. Pat had been involved with the Head Start program in Kenosha when it first started; she also was formerly employed by Lake County Lung Assoc. in Waukegan, Great Lakes Naval Base and Gateway Technical College. She loved to paint, knit, sew, and was a master gardener. She was a former member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and a current member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Surviving are her daughters, Diane M. (Tom) Donais of Kenosha, Alice “Katie” (Jim) Doherty of Waukesha, and Joanne “Jodi” (Greg) Ritacca-Carlini and Carol (Mark Cavaleri) Ritacca, both of Woodbury, MN; a son, Joseph “Joe” Ritacca of Perth, Western Australia; and thirteen grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Christine Lewis; a brother, Bud McAllister; four sisters, Virginia Pike, Dorothea Leonetti, Charity Adamsky, and Rita Scott; and her ex-husband, Tony. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 19th, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be private. Visitation will be held Tuesday at the church from 5:00 p.m. until the time of mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Anne’s Catholic Church would be greatly appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Patricia’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Ray Gallo
My deepest sympathy and most heartfelt condolences on your mom's passing. She and my mom Velma were good friends. A quick story. In the 80's I had a wedding band and my mom would handle our bookings sometimes over-selling us.... as an Italian band..quick learn the Tarrantella or a disco group....quick learn some Bee Gees and once she promised an Irish bride and groom Irish songs...Don't worry says Velma...my friend Pat's Irish ...she knows everything there is to know about Irish music..so....Pat Ritacca to the rescue....your mom showed up at our next practice with a huge yellow hardcover book filled with Irish music, tabs and chords. Not content to leave it to us to learn on our own she sat in on practice drilling and rehearsing us pretty good. We were young at the time early twenties, and as we joked and tittered our way through the music she patiently waited us out...handing out harmony parts and suggesting little touches..and when things would come together and we'd nail one you could truly see her lost in the music. The wedding came off great..thanks to your mom...She was a wonderful wonderful woman with a powerful spirit and may the good lord bless her.
Anonymous
In memory of your Mom. May God bless her and all of you during this sad time. Love, Todd, Sherry, Hannah & Henry.
Tom Carroll
January 19, 2010
Sorry to here about my lose Tom
Deb Clancy
January 19, 2010
Dear Diane: I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that you will be feeling comfortable soon and I look forward to you coming back to work and sharing more fun stories about your Mom and Dad. We miss you. Love, Deb
Jean DelFrate
January 18, 2010
I deeply regret not being able to be with all of you at this time. I met Pat almost immediately upon entering high school (St. Catherine’s, Racine) and we soon became close friends. Her personality was so warm and effervescent, that life took on a glow when she was around. She seemed to have no doubts, nor fears. With her as my companion, I found myself getting involved in activities and going places that I probably would never have on my own. In short, knowing her and having her as my friend, enriched my life immeasurably. When she found Tony, I was honored to be her maid of honor. I watched as she raised her beautiful family. You children, each so talented and accomplished in your own chosen fields and so caring of one another as well of others, are a tribute to her and an indication of how beautifully she could make things grow all around her. I will always cherish her memory.
Steve and Kris (Olsen) Thrailkill
January 18, 2010
To Carol and the entire Ritacca Family,Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of your Mom. May God hold you all close at this time.
Patti Falcone Evans
January 16, 2010
To the family of Pat, who took in two young girls over 50 years ago to comfort and support when they lost their mother. I was one of those little girls and I will always remember her kindness as she tucked five of us girls into the same bed and read us a story. Loving memories are what sustains us at times like this and I pray for her family to be embraced in the warmth of loving peace that she is now happy and safe with God and her family in heaven. Sorry I am not able to hug you and express my sympathy in person. God bless you all. Cousin, Patti