Rita M. Dettore

Rita M Dettore, of Langhorne, Pennsylvania passed away at age 98 on Sunday, May 21, 2017 in Chandler Hall Hospice after suffering a severe stroke a few days earlier. Rita was born November 30, 1918 to the late Carmela (Vita) and Anthony Tedesco of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The highlight of Rita's early life was caring for her six younger siblings, dancing, and developing her sewing talents at the Quartermaster sewing military uniforms. As a young woman, she would summer in Wildwood with a group of girlfriends. She first crossed paths with her future husband, Albert G. Dettore, while out dancing at the shore. She married Albert at age 24 in the summer of 1942. They had two children, cleverly named Rita C and Albert A. Rita worked as a seamstress at John Wannamaker's in Philadelphia while raising her two children in Philadelphia. Rita taught her children and grandchildren the art of Italian cooking, including everyone's favorite "homemade." Alas, she lamented while at Attleboro that her children never learned to dance well- "They both had 2 left feet".Rita and Al enjoyed traveling to Lions events around the world, volunteering, socializing with the Lions and teaching senior citizens line dancing at Saint Christopher's Church in Feasterville, PA. In their early years, Rita and Al were in a group called "The Seven Couples Club," who went to monthly parties and vacationed together. Rita and Albert traveled the world throughout their married life. Rita's fondest memories were of her trip to Portugal and a cruise in Alaska.She cherished time with her family, especially her grandchildren (Lara and Rob Spadaford, Melissa, and Natale & Kali) and great grandchild (Brison Spadaford). She routinely had her nails done with her granddaughters and daughter-in-law. She always chose red, which she deemed "a natural color." Her grandchildren loved hearing her life stories, and looked to Mom-mom for her intuitive advice and wisecracks. They could always count on Mom-mom for an honest opinion, solicited or unsolicited.Rita began her next life chapter as a widow in Attleboro independent living and assisted living, around the corner from her son and daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. She was remembered fondly by staff as having a great sense of humor with spry commentary and her staple red manicure. Rita loved participating in Attleboro's activities. Indeed, she suffered her stroke while singing with her fellow residents in a sing along. Rita is predeceased by her husband Al, brothers (Anthony, Joseph, and Albert), sisters (Anna and Julia). Rita is survived her sister Mae Mazzotta, daughter Rita C , son Albert A (Barbara), three grandchildren and one great grandchild.Per her wishes, Rita did not want to have a funeral. Her children, Rita & Albert, celebrated her life with family and friends in November 2013 on her 95th birthday. She was planning her 100th birthday celebration before she passed. Rita will be remembered and missed.