| Date of Birth | September 23, 1944 |
| Date Deceased | May 30, 2023 |
| Hometown | North Hornell |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Interment Location | Heritage Hill Cemetery, Arkport |
Rita J. McFadden
NORTH HORNELL – Rita J. McFadden, 78, died unexpectedly Tuesday (May 30, 2023) at her home on Marick Park Drive.
Rita was born on September 23, 1944 in Manhattan, NY to James Welch and Alice (Mullan) Welch. She graduated from Aquinas Hall High School in the Bronx, NY in 1962.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Teodor Lazar; three brothers, John, James and Thomas Welch; and three sisters, Patricia Welch, Barbara Welch and Rose (Welch) Sullivan.
Rita is survived by her husband, Donald L. McFadden; his five sons, Douglas (Donna) of Glen Allen, VA, Steven (Connie) of Clintonville, PA, Todd (Michelle) of Mechanicsburg, PA, Jeffrey (Tammy) of Carlisle, PA, Corey (Tanya) of Kennerdell, PA; and his three daughters, Janet McFadden of Lemoyne, PA, Holly (Jeffrey) Feltenberger of Marysville, PA and Jennifer (Tom Hoeritz) of Gaithersburg, MD.
Also surviving are Rita’s three children, Victor Lazar (Michelle Siler) of Covina, CA, Rose Lazar-Lowe (Robert A.A. Lowe) of Brooklyn, NY and Teodor (Gina) Lazar of Buffalo, NY. She was also the proud Grandma to five grandchildren, Teddy, Max, Mangus, Victor and Luke; also many nieces and nephews as well as three sisters, all who live in Long Island, Alice Cardo, Noreen McCambridge and Kathleen Welch-Geldert.
Rita was employed at St. James Mercy Hospital, Shults & Shults, in Hornell, the Groveland Correctional Facility and eventually retired from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in Hornell on April 13, 2007.
She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell, a member of the Ladies of Columbus, the Red Hat Society and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.
To honor her wishes there will be no calling hours or funeral service at this time. Interment will take place at Heritage Hill Cemetery in Arkport at a later date.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to assist Rita’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Rita are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
I was shocked to hear of Rita’s passing!! We became friends when her and her children moved to Canisteo from Jasper. She was the sweetest, kindest person you’d ever want to meet! Her stories were awesome and I could have listened to her for hours!! What a life she led. An amazing one of a kind, that’s for sure! She was always so proud of her children, she did a great job raising them. I love and will miss you forever Rita. Rest in peace ♥️
Don,
I’m so sorry. Rita was a good egg and I truly liked her. My prayers are with you and your family.
Rest in Peace Rita. Tell the gang I said hello
I cannot believe that Rita is gone. From the first time I met Rita at the DOT, she put a smile on my face. Rita’s family meant Everything to her. There was nothing more important. She was over-the moon in love with her husband, Don. They met. They married. They Lived Every Single Day to the Fullest. She was so full of life and cherished her time with her family, her friends, and her co-workers. Her life story was one that was full of adventure. We laughed, we cried, we hugged. And oh, how she loved her beloved Ireland. ☘️
I had hoped that someday, she would write a story about her life. It would have been a best seller. Rita Mcfadden will be missed by so many. I believe she is in Heaven greeting her family with love, smiles and tears, all at the same time. 😁🥺🥹🥰 What a true blessing she was. Her laugh and smile will remain forever in my heart. My heart and prayers go out to Don and her ENTIRE family.
It is difficult to find words to describe the loss of this amazing woman. One of the many things I admired about Rita was the fierceness in which she loved, especially her children. When I came into her son Victor’s life she welcomed me to the family. She showed me unconditional love immediately and without question. In an instant she could break down your walls and just become an intimate friend, sharing herself and her wisdom. This made you want to share yourself with her, which could be intense, especially when she pored into you with those intense, sparkling blue eyes. That was her way. She was full force and she meant business.
I am grateful to have known this strong, kind, loving woman with integrity, rapier wit, and the best, most contagious cackle. I wish we had more time together, but my life has been forever altered for having known her.
In our exchanged emails and cards, I always called her “Lovely Rita” because she was, so lovely.
Dear Don & Families:
I am so very sorry for your loss. I was shocked to hear this news. I met Ms. Rita when I worked at NYSDOT in Hornell & we became forever friends. I moved away in 1997, but we kept in touch. I know how very much she loved you all. I thought of her a lot, especially on St. Patty’s Day ☘️!
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. God Speed Ms. Rita❣️ Love you ~ Lauri😘
Rita and I met through our children when they were in high school in Jasper. I just stopped to see her about 2 weeks ago and spent a few minutes with her. Our conversations always started with updates on the kids both proud parents. Rita told me she and Don wee just talking about me and then I appeared at the door! I will truly miss you my forever friend. 🙏 I still am in shock.
RIP Rita, will miss seeing you.
Rita was the most kindest, personable and sincerest person we had ever met! I met Rita in 1999 when she was working at the NYSDOT. Jack worked with her at the DOT as well. We had some great lunches and dinners that were hilarious as well as entertaining. Rita, our dear friend, we will miss you as well as your infectious laughter and humor. Condolences to Rita’s children, her family and to her husband, Don.
Sincerest sympathy, Tammy Woodward & Jack Cole