Rita Dallavalle - Obituary

ita H. Dallavalle, 88, a 5-year resident of Duarte, CA and formerly of McConnellsburg, PA and Cheverly, MD, died on July 11, 2009 from the effects of Alzheimer's Disease at the California Mission Inn in Rosemead, CA. She was born December 12, 1920 in Washington, DC and graduated from the former St. Cecilia's Academy in 1938. In 1986, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Maryland. Before becoming a full-time homemaker, she worked as a secretary at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Later in life, she worked as a secretary for St. James Convent in Mt. Rainier, MD. While raising her children, she served on the PTAs of St. Ambrose Elementary School in Cheverly, Archbishop John Carroll High School in Washington, DC and Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, MD. She was a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Parish Council at St. Stephen Catholic Church in McConnellsburg. She enjoyed sewing, needlework and crocheting and had a passion for art, especially impressionist art. In June 1948, she married Q. Francis Dallavalle who died in 1996. She is survived by her children: Paul of Davidsonville, MD, John of Frederick, MD, Rita Susan of Sunbury, OH and Ann of Duarte, CA; her brother, Francis Hammett of St. Petersburg, FL; and her sister, Mary Fuchs of Arlington, VA. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Eric Dallavalle of Frederick, MD, Peter Schombert of Irvine, CA and Benjamin Schumacher of Sunbury, OH. Friends are invited to Rita's Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Friday, July 17 from 7 to 9PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 18 at 11AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fulton County Catholic Mission, Carmelite Community of the Word, 110 Third Street, McConnellsburg, PA 17233. Please sign online guestbook at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.