Rita (Wheatley) Beck, 91, of Wellsboro, passed away early Thursday December 5, 2024, at her home surrounded by family.  She was born September 3, 1933, in Williamsport, to Costis and Elpiniki (Samarakis) Vaganos.  She graduated from Wellsboro Area High School and worked as a case worker for the Department of Public Welfare in Wellsboro.  She enjoyed music and sang with the Wellsboro Women’s Chorus, loved cooking and Greek food, gardened and especially enjoyed her flowers.  She worked her farm for more than fifty years, and continued to be active, walking everywhere and doing aerobics with Tana.  But most of all, Rita was devoted to her family and lived out the life of a true matriarch.

Rita is survived by three sons:  Richard (Tambry) Wheatley of Montana, Kirk Wheatley (Yvette) of Wellsboro, and Kyle (Deb) Wheatley of Wellsboro; a daughter:  Cheri Wheatley (Karl) of Tioga; nine grandchildren:  Sarah (Eric) Grabowski, Cole Wheatley, Luke (Nat) Wheatley, Kate Wheatley (Les), Keith (Rashelle) Wheatley, Alicia (Ron) Peacock, Dustin (Kristie) Wheatley, Nikki Wheatley, and Jessica (Joel) Robertson; many great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; a brother:  Chris Vaganos; a sister-in-law:  Marilyn Wheatley; numerous nieces and nephews; a close friend:  Patty Dillman; and was blessed to experience the love and compassion of her caregivers and the hospice team.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands:  Richard Wheatley and Martin Beck; and four sisters:  Katherine Root, Georgia Leach, Victoria McCarthy, and Ellen Wilcox.

In accordance with her wishes, her arrangements have been entrusted to the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home 139 Main Street Wellsboro, PA, and there will be a private memorial service at the convenience of her family.  To share a memory or condolence with her family visit www.tusseymosher.com.