Rita Priest

Rita Maria Norris Remavege Priest, 98, loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, teacher, and friend to all, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, November 7, 2014, at the Dove House in Westminster, Maryland.

Born on October 31, 1916, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Professor Thomas J. Norris and Margaret (O'Donoghue) Norris. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Edward Remavege and Cecil "Bob" Priest.

Rita attended St. Joseph's Academy High School. Upon graduation from high school, she continued her education at St. Joseph's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she received her Bachelor Degree in Home Economics in 1939.  She furthered her education at St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, earning her Dietician's Degree there.  Before marriage, she was head dietician at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She taught Home Economics at Emmitsburg High School until she retired.  There she ran the school newspaper and organized many events, particularly May Day.

Rita and her husband, Bob, traveled extensively, their favorite place being Ireland.  She cherished her home and family gatherings.

Rita was a member of St. Anthony's Shrine Parish in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Rita is survived by her three daughters, Rita Ford of Westminster, Maryland, Eileen Welly of Belchertown, Massachusetts, and Maureen McKinney and her husband, Michael, of Maxeys, Georgia; her two sons, Edward "Ned" Remavege and his wife, Patricia, of Hagerstown, Maryland and Thomas Remavege and his wife, Denise, of Ashville, North Carolina; her daughter-in-law, Joy Remavege; her eight grandchildren; her three great-grandchildren; and her sister, Eileen McClean of Richmond, Virginia. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her son, Robert Remavege; her sisters Kathleen and May Rosa; her brothers Emmet, Lumen, and Thomas.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2014, at St. Anthony's Shrine Parish, 16150 Saint Anthonys Road, Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727, immediately followed by internment at Saint Anthony's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Dove House.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., Frederick, Maryland and expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com .

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