Rita A. Makatura, 89

Campbell, Ohio…….Rita Ann Makatura, 89, died Saturday after a short illness.

Born April 10, 1928 in Lopez, Pa., she was a daughter of Stephen and Katherine Hoza Borich.

She was a 1946 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School and a lifelong area resident.

She was a homemaker and the mother of six children. She loved to sew and over the years blessed her family by fashioning dresses for proms, weddings and christenings as well as adding to her own wardrobe. She was known for her chocolate marshmallow brownies.

Later in life she worked as a bank teller, retiring from the Mahoning Bank in 1993 after ten years of service.

Even after a stroke confined her to a wheelchair 14 years ago, she never lost her optimism, her love for life and her interest in people.

She was a faithful, lifelong parishioner of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish at St. John the Baptist Slovak Church where she had served as a lector, had been treasurer of the Infant Jesus of Prague Guild and was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. She also belonged to the Busy Fingers Ladies Club.

Her husband, Joseph G. Makatura, whom she married Oct. 14, 1950, died July 16, 1977.

Rita will be deeply missed by her daughter Mary (John) Grzebieniak of New Castle, Pa., her sons Timothy (Lorraine) Makatura of Pittsburgh, Mark Makatura of Campbell, Joseph (Julie) Makatura of Denver and Gregory Makatura of Campbell; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, one step great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Rita was preceded in death by her son Gabriel S. "Gabe" Makatura, twin daughters, Anna Marie and Katherine Ann who died at birth; two brothers, Sylvester and Francis Borich; and four sisters, Mary Zetts, Antoinette Cerosky, Sabina VanCase and Cecelia Hamrock.

The Makatura family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home and will receive family and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Mourners will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home and proceed to the church for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 159 Reed Ave., Campbell, OH.  Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery.