Rita Mae Moore, 81, passed away peacefully in her home in Albany on July 14, 2014.

Rita was born on February 10, 1933 in Loup City, Nebraska to John and Maggie (Kowalski) Mazankowski as their tenth child on the family farm in Sherman County, Nebraska. She attended the country school in Sherman County, Nebraska and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1951. She achieved a teaching certificate and taught country school for one year.

She married John "Jack" Moore in 1951. Jack preceded her in death.

Rita moved to Oregon with her son Bob in 1957. Rita married Charles "Bill" Moore in Albany, Oregon on October 17, 1958 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albany.

She is survived by her husband, two sons and daughters-in-law, two daughters and sons-in-law, eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, one brother and sister-in-law, three sisters and one brother-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two infant brothers, five sisters, and one brother.

In addition to raising her family, Rita enjoyed volunteering at St. Mary's and was instrumental in starting the funeral dinner program at the Church. She also volunteered at the ARC thrift shop and worked at the voting polls during elections. She spent time catering, cleaning homes and working in the cannery.

Rita will be missed for her deep dedication to family, her strong Catholic faith, her generosity and care of others, her wonderful cooking and love of entertaining , her continuous support of the grandkids with their sports and activities, her sense of humor especially in her later years, and her talents as a baker, seamstress, and decorator. She was also recognized as a master homemaker and classy dresser by all who knew her and loved to polka dance with her husband Bill. Most of all, Rita loved being around family at family gatherings and reunions and researching family history. She was fortunate to celebrate her 80th birthday in the presence of many loving family members and friends. She will be missed by all.

Viewing will be from 3:00pm – 5:30pm, Sunday, July 20 at Fisher Funeral Home with recitation of the rosary to follow at 6:00pm. A funeral mass will be at 11:00am, Monday, July 21 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Final interment will be at Willamette Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albany or Samaritan Evergreen Hospice in Albany; both in care of Fisher Funeral Home, 306 Washington St. SW, Albany, OR 97321.