Obituary of Rita Ann George

AIKEN, SC – Rita George, 89, passed away on November 25, 2020. She died peacefully with the voices of her loved ones in her ear.  She was born Rita Ann Szili in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Joseph and Anna Szili.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Debbie, her brother, Elmer Szili, and beloved sister, Marguerite Szili Kantor.  She met her future husband and best friend, Dick George in 1961, and the two were married for 58 years.

She devoted her life to loving her best friend and husband, Dick, and her only son, Rick.  Her friends and family will miss her kindness, gift for listening and comforting words even across many years and miles.  She was a Catholic who firmly believed in the power of prayer, and she would “light the light” for the many she remembered in prayer—family, friend or stranger.  Rita was rarely without her rosary beads, even in her final days, and her last act of faith was to pray the rosary with her family.

Rita leaves behind: her husband, Dick George, son, Rick, and daughter-in-law, Susan; niece, Jayne, and husband Leon Kuntz; niece, Tina, and husband Dennis Lewayne; and many relatives, the caring team at Benton House of Aiken, and dear friends she regarded as family after so many years and good memories.

A rosary service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 4, 2020, at Saint Rafka Maronite Catholic Church.  You may attend the Zoom meeting with this link and access information:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77841264874?pwd=SVV5OWNPU3JPUzFjb2NPcGdoVDVLdz09.  Meeting ID: 778 4126 4874.  Passcode: 6KTm8c. 

A memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father Bart Leon at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 5, 2020, at Saint Rafka Maronite Catholic Church.  You may view the service by visiting the Saint Rafka Maronite Church Facebook site or this link:  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=822347761888898  

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rita may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital or The American Cancer Society. 

The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com.