Rita M. BROOKS

BROOKS, Rita M., 84, of Bayonet Point, Fla., beloved mother, grand-mother and "GG," passed away peacefully, after a short but courageous battle with bone cancer, during the early morning hours of March 14, 2010, with her grandchildren by her side. She is survived by her two sons, Randy Brooks and his wife, Kathleen, of Spring Hill, Fla., and son, Thomas Brooks of New Port Richey, Fla.; six grandchildren: Christine, Ashley, Heather, Allison, Dean and Lindsey; and three great-grand-children, Crystal, Brandon and Kaitlyn. She also is survived by her beloved sister, Kathryn Tutora, and brother-in-law, Joseph of Wantagh, N.Y., and nephews, John and Andrew. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Rose Bracilano, and husband of 52 years, Samuel. Rita was born September 22, 1925, in the Bronx and came to Hudson from Wantagh, N.Y., with her husband in 1975. Together Rita and Sam traveled the world, visiting such places as Italy, Greece, the Holy Land and China. A fanatical bingo player, she was a regular at many West Pasco bingo parlors. Rita also liked to play Canasta and Mah Jong with her "lady friends". She was an avid reader and if you ever noticed a tiny pencil mark on the first few pages of a library book from the Hudson Library, that meant she had read that one. Rita was a lover of nature and enjoyed feeding "her" duck, Dovey. To Rita, expiration dates on food packages were only a suggestion. She loved to shop, and would hit the clearance rack at JC Penney with a vengeance. There was never a piece of chocolate or dessert she didn' t like and she truly believed there was always room for ice cream. The viewing will take place 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, at Grace Memorial Funeral Home, 16931 U.S. Highway 19, Hudson, Fla.

(727) 863-5471. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17, with internment immediately thereafter. After the service, the family will welcome guests at Rita' s residence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HPH Hospice. "Grandma, we will miss you."