Rita Fern (Seddon) Skelly

Rita Fern Seddon Skelly passed away Monday, September 9 , 2019 at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie,
PA from health complications. She was 79.

Rita was born September 6, 1940 in New Vernon, PA. She was the daughter of Theresa and Edward Seddon, predeceased, in addition to brothers, Donald, Robert and William Seddon and nieces, Polly Notareschi, Carrie Reynolds, and Jill Shipman.

She is survived by her devoted husband Dr. Daniel Skelly and two daughters, Jennine Wooden and partner Scott Harrold of Florida and Denise Casey and husband Mike of Montana. Her surviving sisters include: June Reed and husband William of Hermitage, Linda McClellan of Cochranton, and Lane Maxwell and husband Edward of Guymon, OK, and a brother Thomas Seddon and wife Karen of Sandy Lake. Rita is also survived by four grandchildren: Laura LaRue and husband Nick, Lawrence Wooden of Tennessee, Rachel Casey of Hawaii and Catherine Casey of Australia. Additionally, she is survived by five great grandchildren: Tessa and Nikko LaRue, Mason, Bentley and Daniel Wooden. She is also survived by 7 nieces and 8 nephews.

Rita attended elementary school in New Vernon and Clarks Mills, PA. She graduated from Lakeview High School in Stoneboro, PA. Rita also attended Beauty Culture School in Erie, PA.

Rita and her husband Dan occupied six months of the year in Florida and the other six months in Pennsylvania, where she loved to plant a garden and grow flowers in the country setting of her original hometown.

Rita was active in Fairfield United Presbyterian Church and women’s missionary, flourishing in the quest of the Church. Rita had an artistic flare for creative, custom flower arrangements. She loved decorating and operated her own shop, “Rita’s Flowers and Décor” for 20 years in Largo, Florida. Rita enjoyed hosting parties for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. She was a very generous, kind and giving person. Rita’s favorite pastimes included shopping, comedy, fashion, cooking, baking, crafts and playing recreational games with family and friends.

Rita was known for her one-liners and had an excellent sense of humor, sparking a good laugh from all who knew her. She will be sadly missed by all her loved ones, and we will all continue to celebrate her life in spirit, as if she were still here.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 4:00 pm at the Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc. 3223 Perry Hwy., Sheakleyville with Rev. Brian Ennis, pastor of the Fairfield Presbyterian Church officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 2:00-4:00 pm.

The inurnment will be at the Fairfield Cemetery, New Vernon Twp. Friends and family may share condolences online at rlsfh.com.

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