Rita Marie Maleta

Rita M. Maleta was born in Butte, MT; however, she lived most of her life in Portland, OR. She attended Our Lady of Sorrows Grade School, Woodstock Elementary and Cleveland High School (formerly Commerce HS). She married Michael E. Maleta on 9/14/1940. They had three children, Michael D. Maleta, Christine Lecher and Colleen Sisson. Rita worked at The Oregonian and Safeco Insurance. After retiring from Safeco she volunteered at Providence Hospital, where she enjoyed interacting with people and always greeted them with her warm smile. Her greatest loves included music, dance & ice skating. Her favorite singers were Ray Price and Willie Nelson. She was a member of the Eagles Lodge, where she enjoyed attending the dances and also loved ice dancing with her husband at the Lloyd Center ice rink. She was also a lover of clothes and amassed quite a collection; she would often meet her daughters “under the clock” at Meier & Frank. Rita & Mike were long time parishioners of Holy Redeemer Church when they lived in North Portland. In the 1980’s they moved to NE Portland and attended St. Rita’s Catholic Church. The family enjoyed their summers visiting Rita’s sister Dorothy in Hines, OR. Most Sundays after church were spent in Salem visiting Rita’s mother Bridie, until her death in 1998.

Rita was predeceased by her father Dan and mother Bridie, her brother Donal, her husband Mike, her son Michael D., her sister and husband Dorothy and Yukio Yamamoto. Rita has 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

There will be a Catholic Mass said in honor of Rita at 11:00 on Monday, August 7th at Laurelhurst Village chapel, 3060 SE Stark Street, Portland. Mom, we all hope that no one “cuts in” on your eternal dance in heaven.