Rita Cooley , VRHS Class of 1948
Rensselaer-Rita G. Cooley, age, 78 years, of Broadway passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at Albany Memorial Hospital after a long illness with her loving family at her side, after a courageous battle with cancer. Rita was born in Rensselaer and was a lifelong resident of the city. She retired in 1985 as Head Mail and Supply Clerk from the NYS Office of General Services in Albany, NY where she worked for 26 years. She was the daughter of the late Elbert E. and Mary E. Cooley. Survivors include two daughters, Jeanette (Frank) Mercurio of Old Chatham, NY and Rita Hoyda (Art Villa) of Anaheim, CA. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Mary Elizabeth Mercurio of Old Chatham, NY and Amanda Jo Hoyda of Anaheim, CA and one sister Joan Gochee of Delmar, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Herrick Street Rensselaer where a Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ritas name to the Alumni Centennial Award Fund c/o Rensselaer City Schools 25 Van Rensselaer Drive Rensselaer, NY 12144. This fund was set up by Ritas 1948 Van Rensselaer High School graduating class to help a graduating senior with average grades that would like to attend college.