Rita Elaine Saladucha

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Rita Elaine (Houck) Saladucha, who embarked on her next great adventure on January 24, 2024, at the age of 86. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Rita’s legacy is a vibrant celebration of love, an unyielding spirit of resilience, and a life lived with an infectious enthusiasm for fun and creativity.

Born in Cumberland, Maryland, on April 9th, 1937, Rita spent her childhood across from the Sunbeam bakery, filling her days with the scents of freshly baked bread and the love of her family. Raised by her mother, Mildred, after losing her father at seven, Rita grew up with her older sister, Myra Lee, and a close-knit family in the hills of West Virginia.

Rita’s zest for life was evident early on. At Allegheny High School, she shone as the lead baton twirler for the marching band, even mastering the art of twirling fire. Her spirit of adventure took her to Manhattan at just seventeen, where her talents as a painter and artist flourished. Rita’s artistic journey led her to the Fashion Institute of Technology and to a position at Orbach’s.

In New York City, Rita met the love of her life, John Saladucha, also known as “Jean Lové”. The couple married and built their life together in Forest Hills, Queens, before moving to the suburbs of New Jersey – Haworth, Demarest, Ramsey, and eventually Riviera Beach, Florida this past year. Their union was blessed with two sons, Bradley and Jeffry, to whom Rita was a devoted and loving mother.

Rita’s professional life was as varied and vibrant as her personality. She was a real estate agent, the founder of Tennis Club News, and a co-founder and partner of Le Camp and Champion Day camps in New City, NY, for over thirty-eight years. Her entrepreneurial spirit was matched by her athletic prowess; she was an avid tennis player and golfer and cherished her time playing mahjong with friends. Rita was a beloved member of the White Beeches and Ramsey country clubs, where she formed many deep and lasting relationships.

As much as Rita loved being the life of the party, nothing gave her greater joy than being with her family and especially with her beloved and doted on grandchildren. As a mother-in-law to Jodi (Saladucha) and Katie (VogtSaladucha) and a grandmother to MJ and Alexander, she was generous, loyal, and incredibly fun, leaving an indelible mark on their lives, and the lives of her extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her Father (Charles) and Mother (Mildred) and is survived by her husband John and sister Lee.

In memory of Rita’s generous spirit, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization close to her heart. Any future plans for a celebration of Rita’s life will be determined at a later date. We bid farewell to Rita Saladucha, a remarkable woman whose life was a tapestry of love, creativity, and living each day to its fullest. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.