Obituary of Rita Mortka

Rita B. Mortka, 92, formerly of Rotterdam, entered peacefully into the hands of the Lord on Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Ellis Hospital. Her family was by her side at the time of her passing. Rita was born in Chicopee, MA , the daughter of Alfred and Blanche McCasland. She moved to the Woodlawn area of Schenectady as a child, and was a student in Schenectady schools, where she graduated with a major in Home Economics. When Rita was 17 yrs of age, she and future husband Alfred Mortka met while they were both camp counselors at Camp Horman, in Pattersonville. During the second world war she worked as a solderer for the General Electric Co. In her younger years, Rita was actively involved in gymnastics and fitness and was an early fan and follower of Jack LaLane. Rita was fervently devoted to her family and home, putting the needs of children, husband, and family before her own. Taking care of her family and making a home for them were her lifelong passions. She was an avid seamstress, and an accomplished and award winning ceramicist and enjoyed anything that involved creative expression, and she loved to bake. Rita enjoyed her time as a den mother for the Cub Scouts, her membership in The Home Bureau and The Bishop Gibbon's Mothers Club. Since childhood, Rita was a very active participant at St. Paul the Apostle Church. It was there that she was married to her husband Alfred, baptized her children, and where she and husband renewed their nuptial vows on their 50th wedding anniversary. Rita sang in the the St. Paul's Church choir, was a member of the the PTA of St. Paul's School, the Rosary Society, and the Charismatic Christian group. She and her husband served and participated on many committees and church activities through the years and were particularly active in the development committees of the St. Paul the Apostle elementary school and the "new" Church building funds. Rita was predeceased by her beloved and devoted husband Alfred M. Mortka; he died in 2004. Survivors include three children: Thomas (Mary) Mortka, Paul (Jasmin) Mortka and Laural (Paul Boyle) Siek, grandchildren Maria (Valentino) Varlaro and many beloved nieces and nephews, and their children, and a few very dear and remaining friends. She was predeceased by four siblings : Aurora, Raymond, Alfred and Laura. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday morning,10:30, from the Daly Funeral Home, Inc. 242 McClellan St. Schenectady and 11:00 at St. Paul the Apostle Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be on Saturday morning 9:00 to 10:30 at the funeral home. Interment St. Joseph's Cemetery, Schenectady. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Church 2777 Albany St. Schenectady, NY 12304 or Bishop Gibbons-Notre Dame High School 2600 Albany St. Schenectady, NY 12304. Online condolences may be expressed at www.dalyfuneralhome.com.