We celebrate the life of Rita H Panaggio who passed peacefully on March 16. Rita was born in Rochester, New York on March 6, 1931. Rita, a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother was deeply committed to her family. There are so many good things to say about her, all of which would be heartfelt and appropriate, but it was this commitment to family that truly defined her life’s pursuit. An only child and a product of a broken home, she was raised by a foster family, which gave rise to Rita’s passion for family. When she entered Heaven’s glorious gates her lineage included over 50 who adored and loved her. Rita made it a point to make sure each one of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren felt like they were the most important person in her life, and they were. And when sons-in-laws, daughters-in-laws and other children became part of her family, they too received this same unconditional love and commitment. Husband, Mauro, received the same love and commitment for 68 years as he pursued his basketball coaching career. The hundreds of players that Mauro coached over the years became a permanent part of the family as Rita opened her already crowded home to them. Still, to this day, many of the players continue to call and visit and remain a part of the family. Rita was also a businesswoman and a successful realtor and active in the Brockport, NY community. One of her great joys was the Brockport Twig and the long-lasting friendships she maintained with the group. Additionally, she kept close contact with childhood friends and those from her high school alma mater, Nazareth Academy in Rochester. She loved to travel and had been all over the world. Her home in Daytona Beach was a magnet for her grandchildren where they were always welcomed with plenty of food and advice on basketball and life. Rita never missed a game, recital, performance, graduation, or wedding. Rita is survived by her husband of 68 years, Mauro; children, Michael (Jennifer), Daniel (Ellen), Kathy (Mike), Tom (Shemi), Jim (Kay), Mary Beth (Michael); 23 grandchildren; and 27 great grandchildren.
