It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Rita Marie (O’Brien) Kurth. Rita Marie passed peacefully on January 16, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona. She was 97 years young. Born in Chicago on January 26, 1927, to Raymond and Regina O’Brien, she grew up with three sisters, Rosemary (O’Brien), Jean (Robinson) and Jeannette (Dainko).
As the most loving, caring, and devoted mother, along with her late husband, John, she raised seven boys, John, Dennis (Barbara), Terrence, Lawrence, Gerald (Katherine), Christopher (Karen) and Casey (Jacquie). She was also grandmother to seven children, Bailey, Mallory, Emilie, Thomas, Connor, Tucker and Mackenzie.
Her incredible life was a never-ending blend of helping others, sharing her love and commitment to the Catholic faith, and being compassionate and supportive to all. As a life-long Chicago Cubs and Notre Dame fan, she always tried to follow her favorite teams. And in her early twenties, she pursued her passion for flying by enrolling in private pilot lessons at Midway airport (until her parents found out!) Her adventurousness led her to take the family camping in many beautiful National Parks throughout the U.S. And she had boundless energy. Even after washing football uniforms, sewing new clothes and comforters, crocheting Afghan’s, and working full time, she always made it a priority to create great dinners for nine people daily.
She is missed already, and we are all eternally grateful for Rita Marie. God Bless her, and may she Rest in Peace forever.
Services will be held at Tempe Mortuary, 405 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282 on January 30, 2025 at 11:00am. Burial following at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Mesa, AZ.
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