CRANBERRY LAKE – Rita M. Refici, age 76, formerly of Cranberry Lake, passed away on November 18, 2024 at Oneida Healthcare.

Calling hours will be held at French Family Funeral Home in Star Lake on Monday, November 25, 2024 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Her funeral Mass will be Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Hubert's Catholic Church in Star Lake. Burial will follow in Cranberry Lake Cemetery. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.

Rita was born on April 3, 1948 in Baltimore, MD to the late Donald A. and Marion L. (Monica) Lashomb. She grew up in Pearl River and Nanuet NY and attended the Pearl River school until her junior year when the family moved to Cranberry Lake. She graduated from Clifton-Fine Central School, attended Beauty School and studied nursing at SUNY Adirondack. Rita married Harold Joseph Refici on February 4, 1972 in Cranberry Lake.

Rita operated the Evergreen Hotel for several years and worked as a Special Education Assistant for Clifton-Fine Central School and then Questar III BOCES until retiring in 2006. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, watching CSI shows, and gardening, especially her flowers.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Refici, two children, Harold Joseph Refici, III and his companion, Marie, and Marion L. Refici-Kapraun and her husband, Brian Kapraun, and 5 grandchildren, Ryan, Chase, Emily, Natalee, and Sophia. She is also survived by her brother, Donald Lashomb and his wife, Cindy, her sister, Theresa "Terri" Smith, and a brother-in-law, Bill Yaeger.

Rita is predeceased by her parents, a daughter in infancy, a sister, Cynthia "CC" Mary Yaeger, and a brother-in-law, Kelly Smith.

Donations in memory of Rita may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis TN 38105.