Rita L. Pais, 91, of Emery Towers, formerly of Duke Center, PA passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Olean General Hospital. 

Born April 4, 1932, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late John C. and Anna Mae (Tingley) Luciano, Jr. She attended Bradford schools and was a 1950 graduate from Bradford High.

On November 10, 1951, in St. Bernard Church, she married Albert J. Pais who preceded her in death on December 15, 1997.

Rita worked for AJ Olson Department Store, Bell Telephone, and was an assistant manager of Fashion Bug Plus in the Bradford Mall.

She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, and the 50 Plus Group.

Our world became less vibrant as we mourn the death of our mom. Daily phone calls filled with laughter have come to an end. However, Mama Rita doesn’t want us to mourn. So instead, we will celebrate her long and happy life. What can one say about Mama Rita? We could go on and on, but she said she didn’t want a lengthy obituary. She can’t have everything! She always had a smile. Could talk to anyone. She was just a complete and utter Hoot.

Mama Rita was known for her sense of humor and oh so familiar sayings:

“It Is What It Is’, so you might as well laugh about it.

The good Lord willing and the crick don’t rise.

Always had a hard time finding her whatnots.

Never hide your light under a bushel.

As she has said so many times, you spend your whole life fighting dirt, only to be buried under it. Isn’t that the truth?

Mama Rita had many nicknames throughout her life. With her being a pain, she earned the nickname, Pita Rita. She is also known as Great Grandma Ritzy.

Mama Rita always said she wasn’t allowed to die until she ticked off enough people. Well….. She apparently did her job. 

Surviving are three daughters, Marsha (Jim) Calderwood, of Bradford, Nancy (David) Sullivan, of Old Saybrook, CT, and Kay Foote, of Bradford, four bonus children, Judy McFarland, Terri Stuck, Barbara Burgess, and Tammy Moyer, one grandson, Chad Salisbury, four granddaughters, Emily Foote, Christa Donnelly, Rachel Foote, and Devon Close, seven great grandchildren, Sam Salisbury, Anna Salisbury, Grace Salisbury, Ariya Foote, McKenna Foote, Alma Close, Paul Close, and one on the way,  one brother, Dan (Barb) Luciano, of Cincinnati, and many nieces and nephews.

Rita was preceded in death by her companion of 21 years, Lester Stuck who passed away in 2021, three brothers, Donald Luciano, Joseph Luciano, and James Luciano.

Family will receive friends on Friday, July 21, 2023, from 10:00 am 11:30 am in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc., 372 East Main Street, where at 11:30 am a prayer service will be held, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Noon in St. Francis of Assisi Church, with Rev. John Jacquel, Pastor, as Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Bradford Area Public Library, 67 West Washington Street, Bradford, PA 16701, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-1942, or McKean County SPCA, PO Box 113, Bradford, PA, 16701.

Online condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com