Obituary of Rita Madelein Beers

Rita Madelein Beers of Rome, NY, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, September 18, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in St. Augustine, PA, on July 31, 1919 the daughter of the late William and Bertha Craver Conrad, and was educated in Patton, PA schools. Rita was united in marriage to Rex H. Beers, on June 13, 1936, in St. Monica's Church, Chest Springs, PA; a blessed marriage of 71 years. Rex died February 10, 2007. Rita was a devout Catholic and truly devoted to St. Mary of the Assumption Church, the Rosary and St. Mary's Altar and Rosary Society. Rita had an infectious smile, a caring heart, and warm glowing eyes that charmed and comforted family and friends for many years. Rita was also a friend and supporter to numerous charities. She was an avid bingo player with many "bingo" friends from Lake Delta Fire Dept., St. Mary's School, Rome Catholic School and the Knights of Columbus. Rita also very much enjoyed sending cards to family and friends. Rita is survived by two daughters, three sons, nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren and their families which are daughters Carole Ann Beers and V. Gale Lee of Rome and Janice M. and Paul R. Wood of Syracuse, UT; three sons and their families; Larry F. Beers of New York City, Craig J. Beers and Christine Krebs of Lee Center, and James E. and Dawn Beers of Rome. Rita's nine grandchildren and family are Kristina and Richard Holland, SSG Daniel Rex Wood, CPT Jonathan P. and Christie Wood, Megan Rita Wood, Tiffany M. and Curt Morgan, Trisha L. Hosmer and Christopher, Lindsay, and Mallory Krebs. Rita's four great grandchildren are Madelein Holland, Samson Paul, Caeleb Rex and Conrad Daniel Wood. She was predeceased by her five sisters Mary Carroll, Leona Hoover, Florene Patterson, Grace Kelley and Mildred Swanhart, and three brothers Liquori, Edward and Louis Conrad. The family wishes to sincerely thank Hospice and Palliative Care and "Nighttime Laurie" for their compassionate care and friendship extended to Rita, and to Barbara Thomas for the true friendship and spiritual care she lovingly gave to Rita over the past years. Funeral services will be held Monday at 9:45 a.m. at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, and a Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, with Father Philip A. Hearn officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Sunday 2 to 4 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of New Hartford or the Rome Humane Society.