DECEMBER ISSUE
Rose V. Rita
Calumet Township Supervisor and former Blue Island alderman Rose V. Rita died on December 2 due to pancreatic cancer. She was 78.
Rita was the widow of former Blue Island Mayor John D. Rita (1978-1985) and also the mother of State Representative Robert Rita (D-Blue Island). Mrs. Rita’s father, Tony Pizza, was a one-time mayor of Calumet Park (1965-1969).
Born on March 21, 1933, Rose (née Pizza), and her future husband, John, of 57 years were raised next door to each other on High Street in Blue Island. They lived on that same block throughout their lives.
Mrs. Rita began her own political career in 1999, winning an aldermanic seat in Blue Island’s 3rd Ward and holding that post until April of this year. In 2009, she won Calumet Township’s top job.
“In her first aldermanic campaign, she promised to fix the neighborhood streets and local park,” said her son, Bob. “She buttonholed Springfield lawmakers, she launched a letter writing campaign and ended up getting $40,000 to replace the broken park equipment and $740,000 to fix the streets and install new curbs. It was hard to say ‘no’ to Rose Rita.”
A parishioner at St. Donatus Church, Mrs. Rita was a powerful advocate for seniors during her tenure at the head of Calumet Township. She insisted on nutritious, quality, and good tasting meals for seniors enrolled in the Township’s meal program. She initiated a “Free Ride to Seniors” program that provides rides to the doctor’s office, the grocery store, the Senior Center, etc. Mrs. Rita also established a food pantry for the poor.
“My mom brought the instincts of a mother to her work as a public servant,” said Rep. Rita. “She took time to talk to people, to listen to their concerns. She took action to help them, and recognized that no concern was too small for her attention because it was important to the people who asked for help.”
Rep. Rita also noted that his mother loved to write.
“She was working on a children’s book titled “Grandma Takes Me to the Zoo,” said Rita. “Unfortunately, the book is unfinished.”
In addition to Bob, the Rita children included John D. Rita Jr., Richard L. Rita (deceased), and Nancy Rita. Mrs. Rita is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Visitation for Rose was held at Vandenberg Funeral Home in Tinley Park on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. Mass was celebrated at St. Donatus on Thursday, December 8, 2011.