Rita J. (Zaladonis) Fischer passed after a sudden illness at the Geisinger Medical Center Wyoming Valley on Monday June 7, 2021, at age 95. Rita was born in Duryea to Michael and Catherine (Rice) Zaladonis.

Rita had a long and successful life. She believed there were few things more important than education. However, upon graduating from high school in 1943, she chose to be a Navy stenographer in Binghampton NY to help support her family rather than accepting a full scholarship to Penn State University. Rita returned to Duryea after the war and accepted a position at the Murray Plant, Scranton where she was an executive secretary and later took a similar job at Capitol records until her first child came along…

In the 1960’s and 1970’s, Rita and her husband Jack, became partners in Duryea Realty and ZOM Construction where she did the bookkeeping and participated in the sale of over 100 homes in Duryea and surrounding communities.

Half a lifetime later, after putting her two older children through college, she enrolled in College Misericordia and graduated with a BSW degree in Social work and a minor in gerontology – the oldest member of her class at 60. She loved working as a caseworker at the Luzerne/Wyoming county Breau for Aging, Wilkes-Barre, until her retirement in 1992.

Rita had a photographic memory. She often surprised people citing details about their parents and relatives from many years ago. In her younger years Jack said Rita was a dead ringer for Ann Baxter. Rita enjoyed dancing, polkas, music and a glass of red wine. But most of all Rita enjoyed family activities including cooking and working in and around the house especially growing flowers and vegetables.

Before it’s closing, she was a dedicated member of St Joseph's Church in Duryea and the Ladies solidarity. Rita was most recently a parishioner of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Duryea.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Jack Fischer, brothers - Anthony, Casmir, and Joseph Zaladonis, and sister Della Puzio. She is survived by children Dr. Suzanne Fischer Prestoy, and husband Michael Prestoy (Quakertown, PA), son Dr. John Fischer, and wife Lyudmyla (Moosic), and devoted daughter and caregiver Lisa Fischer, (Duryea). Grandchildren -Michael Prestoy and wife Shuhan (Wayne, PA), Jackie Prestoy, (Devon, PA.), and Isabella Prestoy (Quakertown, PA), and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Thanks to all of her care givers. A special thanks to her daughters -Lisa and Suzanne, and son John for the years of loving care and hard work.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11:00 am in Holy Rosary Church, 127 Stephenson Street, Duryea with the Rev. John Polednak officiating. Interment will be in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Duryea. A viewing will be held on Friday, June 11, 2021, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main Street, Duryea. Family and friends are asked to directly to the church the morning of the funeral. To leave the family an online condolence, please visit the funeral home website, www.piontekfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 300 Laird Street #8560, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 in Rita’s name.

Rita was a hard-working, kind, generous human being. The world is a better place for having had her in it - she will be sorely missed.

PLEASE NOTE: YOUR ONLINE CONDOLENCE WILL NOT APPEAR UNDER THE GUESTBOOK ENTRIES UNTIL IT IS APPROVED BY THE FUNERAL HOME

Guestbook Entries

I miss you G-ma! You were my grandma and I miss you a lot.

Isabella Prestoy (over 2 years ago)

Lisa John AND family. So sorry for the loss of your Mom .thoughts and prayers are with you

donna rohland (almost 3 years ago)

Lisa and John. Im so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. Im sure she will be missed. You took such great care of her. As you morn the loss of a very special mother, may you find strength in all of your wonderful memories together. She will never be far from your heart

Karen Swartz (almost 3 years ago)

Am so sorry for your Loss Lisa and John and whole family your in your prayers

Timothy & Amy Lohman (almost 3 years ago)

Sorry for your loss,thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Mary Ann Sapolis (almost 3 years ago)

Lisa and Family so sorry for your loss Thoughs and Prayers to the family

Bebe Yuhas (almost 3 years ago)

We are so sad to hear about the loss of Rita. Our condolences for the family. We will miss you, Rita. RIP.

Hu Family (almost 3 years ago)

Lisa, John and family. So sorry for your loss. You took such very good care of her until the end in her own house. Her spirit and memories will always be with you. Prayers for all

Karen Musloski (almost 3 years ago)

Sending heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Fischer family for the loss of your Mother.

Alice Grimm (almost 3 years ago)

So Sorry For Your Loss, My Condolences To The Family.

Kevin Harding (almost 3 years ago)

I’m so sorry for everyone’s loss Thoughts and prayers with everyone

Joe Chaiko (almost 3 years ago)

Lisa, condolences to you and your family

Lorraine Castellino (almost 3 years ago)

Lisa, thoughts and prayers for you and your family during this difficult time. Carolyn Joyce

Carolyn Joyce (almost 3 years ago)

God bless you and your family

Eddie Walsh (almost 3 years ago)

Condolences to all of Rita`s family especially Lisa fro m my family As God welcomes another Angel know that she will always watch over you and have a place in the corner of your heart. God Bless you as you go through this trying time

Joan Mc Fadden (almost 3 years ago)

Lisa, John, and Suzie, so very sorry for your loss. God gained an Angel when Rita left this earth. She will be sadly missed. Sending prayers your way.

John and Gyl Mikovitch (almost 3 years ago)

We are so very sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God bless you Lisa and John

Joseph Hosner Michelle Hosner Esther Hosner (almost 3 years ago)

Sending our deepest sympathy to the family. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Sue Savelli Keska & JJ Keska (almost 3 years ago)

I am so sorry for you Lisa ,John and your families loss my she Rest in Peace.

Ronnie Ostrowski (almost 3 years ago)

So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers.

Morris Slatky (almost 3 years ago)

Prayers

David K. Bartuska (almost 3 years ago)

To all of Rita’s family , May she RIP with Jack and watch over all of her family god bless !!

SKIP (almost 3 years ago)

So sorry for your loss, you are in my prayers.

Joyce Pisano (almost 3 years ago)

So sorry for your loss.prayers being sent

Linda wruble (almost 3 years ago)

I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to the family

Jim Bossi (almost 3 years ago)

Suzanne, Michael, Michael Morgan, Jackie, and Isabella: I am so sorry to hear of your mother's / mother-in-law's /grandmother's death. The loss of Rita leaves a hole in your family that cannot be filled. I remember Rita as a welcoming and gracious person. I always enjoyed chatting with her at family events. She always spoke with loving pride of the accomplishments of Suzanne, John, Lisa, and her grandchilderen. Alan and I extend our sympathy, love, and prayers to all the family. We hope to be present at Rita's funeral.

Karen Prestoy-Heyn (almost 3 years ago)

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