Rita M. (Burke) Mortimer

Rita M. Mortimer, 83, of Pottsville, died Thursday afternoon at the St. Joseph Medical Center, Bern Township. Born in St. Clair on April 25, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Edmund J. and Margaret Kelly Burke. She graduated from St. Boniface High School. She was married to the former T. Allen Mortimer, who died January 22, 1998. Rita was the owner of the former Mortimer's Jewelers in Pottsville. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church, where she was a member of the Catholic Women's Union. She was also a member of the Pottsville Republican Club, a volunteer for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, a past president of the Travelers Protection Association and a past president of the Pottsville Lionettes. Surviving Rita are: two daughters, Barbara Priest, of Houston TX, and Nancy Hannan, of Reading; four grandchildren, Michelle Schneider, Lori Logan-Gavin, Merideth J. Hannan and Owen Priest; six great grandchildren, Matthew Logan, Brittany Schneider, Jessica Priest, Brendan Priest, Dominic Allen Steidle, and Alyssa Gavin; two sisters, Jane Lowthert, of Bensalem, and Rosemary Washuta, of Belvedere, NJ; four nephews, William Lowthert, John Washuta, Robert Lowthert and Ed Washuta; and a niece Peggy Dooling. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 AM from the St. Patrick's Church. Family and friends may call at the church from 10 until time of Mass. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Hillside Rd., Pottsville. The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Inc. 6th & W. Market St., Pottsville, is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105