Rita E. Cichocki, 73, of Richland, died Wednesday, January 15, 2003, at Kadlec Medical Center. She was born and raised in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. Her parents were immigrants from Greece and Lithuania.

Rita graduated from high school and worked her way through 4 years of nursing school in Ashland, PA. She graduated in 1950 from Ashland Nursing School as a registered nurse.

In 1951, she married Vince Cichocki Sr. They moved extensively around the country while raising 5 children and seeing them through college.  They moved to Richland in the summer of 1976 where Rita worked as the site nurse during the construction of the WPPSS Power Plants 1 & 4.  Rita joined Our Lady Of Lourdes Medical Center in the ER department because she liked the fast pace.

Rita enjoyed camping, gold prospecting, gambling and cruising. She was very active in the Richland Senior Center and coordinated their annual fundraising bazaars and greeting card recycling. As a founder and member of the board of directors of the Richland Seniors Association. She was instrumental in raising funds and working through issues to make the new Richland Community Center a reality.

She is survived by her 5 children Vincent Jr. and wife Paula; David; Nancy and husband Jim; Daniel and wife Betsy and Sonia; two brothers George and wife Mary Ann and John and wife Patsy Pappas; 7 grandchildren Lindsey, Kelsey, Heather, Stephanie, Perry, Zane and Vincent III.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Vince Cichocki Sr. who passed away in 1982. Contributions in memory of Rita Cichocki may be made to the Richland Community Center Building Fund.

A memorial service will be held Thursday January 23rd at 3:00 PM at Einan’s Funeral Home in Richland.