Rita Anne Wiltberger

Rita Anne Wiltberger, 94, devoted wife to the late Richard Edward Wiltberger, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

Born in North Tonawanda, NY, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Eva Walsh Donovan.

Rita met the love of her life, Richard at church in Swarmsville, NY. After a brief courtship they married in 1946. Richard built their family home in Lockport, NY, where they started their family. After watching the Rose Parade for a number of years, they decided to give up the cold of the Northeast and moved to sunny Southern California in 1960. In 2000, they moved to Greenville, SC to be near their oldest son and his family.

Rita loved all of her neighbors and they loved her. The family would like to thank neighbors Joan, Leslie, Bryan, Lisa and Ben, McKayla, Nora and Judah, for the love and time spent with “Grandma Rita “at the hospital and the nursing home. You brightened her days, and we will never be able to thank you enough. You will always have a special place in our hearts just like Mom did.

Rita was a faithful member of Prince of Peace. She was always very independent and was always up for an adventure. She was driving until a month ago, even though she love to “hug“ the right side of the road. She took care of her two-story townhome on her own. She enjoyed planting zinnias and pansies in the front. Inside her home, she grew the most beautiful African violets. She read the Greenville News, the Buffalo News, and parts of the Orange County Register newspapers nearly every day.

Her legacy will continue on with her loving children, Stephen and wife, Virginia, Jane and husband, Dick, Anne and husband, Ron, and Richard and Dawn; 15 adoring grandchildren; 30 precious great grandchildren, and hours before her death, she became a great great grandmother to a precious little girl. She lifted everyone of these loved family members up in prayer every single day, each by name.

In addition to her parents and husband of 57 years, she was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Ralph Vitthuhn.

A Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. with a public viewing until 5:30 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will follow in Greenville Memorial Gardens.

Family and friends who are unable to attend the service can view the Live Stream by clicking the video link located on the obituary page at www.thomasmcafee.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1209 Brushy Creek Rd., Taylors, SC 29687.