Rita E. Davare Ross, 90, of Connellsville, died Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, at the home of her daughter in Oceanside, Calif. She was born June 2, 1923, in Dunbar, a daughter of the late William Lawrence and Margaret Jane Jeffries Smyth. Rita was a 1941 graduate of Connellsville High School. She worked for the Ambulance Corps during World War II. Early in her life, she was employed by Dr. Ralph Cox and at the former Overholt Distillery. She was also formerly employed by Personal Finance Corporation and the Green Thumb in the Carnegie Library. She was also the co-owner of Marguerite's Religious Store in Connellsville. Rita was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, the Catholic Business and Professional Women, member and former officer of the Connellsville Historical Society, formerly member of Geibel High School and Conn-Area Catholic School Boards, Geibel High School Mothers' Club and the Light of Christ Prayer Group. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church and its Christian Mothers and Parish Council. She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Marie "Kathy" Davare Roth, of Encinitas, Calif., and Kristina "Tina" Davare, of Oceanside, Calif.; one grandson, Michael Angelo Roth; two stepdaughters, Tanya Spiwak and Nicka Dunn; and her husband, Barry, both of Connellsville; four step-grandchildren; and one sister, Margaret Audrey Smyth Palmer, of King of Prussia. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her first husband, Angelo Gabriel Davare; her second husband, John Francis Ross; and one brother, James Paul Smyth. Friends will be received from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, where a blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday followed by a funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert Lubic as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. To offer a condolence or remembrance please visit http://www.brooksfuneralhomes.com.