Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Rita Argiros Obituary
Hancock, NY
August 26, 1957-Sept. 20, 2015
Rita M. Argiros died after a short illness on Sunday September 20, 2015. She was born in Suffern, New York on August 26, 1957 to Anthony E. (Tony) Argiros and Rita E. (Betty) Argiros. She earned a B.A., M.A. and PhD from Binghamton University and served on the faculty of SUNY Cortland and later St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. She was a specialist in immigration and race relations. In addition to her published scholarship she worked on several projects with the Minnesota NAACP. In 2000 she accepted the position of Executive Program Director at The Family Foundation School which had been founded by her parents. During that time she mentored many students, she helped reshape the practices and procedures of the school and founded the Dog Corps Program.
A passionate dog lover, Rita took up the practice of search and rescue and became a search and rescue dog handler. She was the Founder and President of Eagle Valley Search Dogs and she was the K9 coordinator for the New York State Federation of Search and Rescue Teams.
She is survived by husband Sidney F. Parham, her mother Betty Argiros, a sister Ann Marie Janauer and a brother Mike Argiros. She is survived by her son, Alex Carroll and two stepdaughters Sarah Lichty, and Maggie Cichosz and her grandchildren Sydney and Avery Lichty and Beatrix Cichosz and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Anthony E. Argiros.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2015 from 5-8PM at the Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul's Church, Hancock, NY.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to: Eagle Valley Search Dogs, 11 Yankee Lake Road, Wurtsboro, NY 12790.
Arrangements by Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock, NY
607-637-2581
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rita Argiros
Christmas
November 29, 2015
Christmas
November 29, 2015
Rita - Lake Windermere - England September 2003
November 29, 2015
Betty, Rita, Alex 1974
November 29, 2015
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Rita & Ripley - October 27, 2010
November 29, 2015
Acadia National Park, ME - August 26, 2007
November 29, 2015
Acadia National Park, ME - August 26, 2007
November 29, 2015
Acadia National Park, ME - August 26, 2007
November 29, 2015
Acadia National Park, ME - August 26, 2007
November 29, 2015
May 29, 1981
November 29, 2015
Rita & Sid September 26, 2003
November 29, 2015
Karen & Rita May 30, 1996
November 29, 2015
Kristine & Rita May 30, 1996
November 29, 2015
Sarah, Sid, Rita, Maggie May 30, 1996
November 29, 2015
Target Practice April 2010
November 29, 2015
Betty, Rita & Tony April 2006
November 29, 2015
Rita and the pack 2004
November 29, 2015
Rita & Ripley 2006
November 29, 2015
Ripley 2007
November 29, 2015
Rita & Raven 2010
November 29, 2015
Ray, Alex, Rita - Alex's Graduation 1992
November 29, 2015
Charlie, Alex, Rita - Alex's Graduation 1992
November 29, 2015
Whelping Box March 2008
November 29, 2015
Search & Rescue Feb 2007
November 29, 2015
Jan 2009
November 29, 2015
1979 collage
November 29, 2015
School Photos
November 29, 2015
Betsy Engelhardt
November 3, 2015
My deepest sympathy to your family, my unending gratitude to you from my family. Thank you always.
Steve Loscalzo family
October 29, 2015
Rita touched our family in a very special way
I will always remember it is about being not doing
Search & Rescue
October 24, 2015
Beautiful Bride
October 24, 2015
Rita & Tank
October 24, 2015
Mike, Rita, Uncle Gus
October 24, 2015
Old friends
Shari Carroll
October 24, 2015
Charades
Shari Carroll
October 24, 2015
Sid & Rita
Shari Carroll
October 24, 2015
Ben Ripley Rita
Shari Carroll
October 24, 2015
Shari Carroll
October 24, 2015
mb
October 1, 2015
Speechless. Thank you for everything. Travel well.
Jim Sherohman
September 29, 2015
I first met Rita when I drove her from Minneapolis to St. Cloud for her Sociology job interview. As a departmental colleague I found her to be interesting, highly energetic, and extremely competent. Her smooth and successful transition from academia to the real world impressed but did not surprise me. I send my sincere condolences to Sid and the family.
Linda Havir
September 28, 2015
I will remember Rita as an enthusiastic and creative part of our Sociology Program at SCSU. I enjoyed her great sense of humor as well as her devotion to her discipline. Her support of her friends and colleagues leaves an important legacy. I wish you comfort in your memories.
Linda Havir
Total Devotion
Shari Carroll
September 27, 2015
Puppy love
Shari Carroll
September 27, 2015
Rita & Ripley
Shari Carroll
September 27, 2015
Rita, Annie, Mike
Shari Carroll
September 27, 2015
Rita & Tony
Shari Carroll
September 27, 2015
Rita & Sid
Shari Carroll
September 27, 2015
Kevin, Ripley, Rave, Cora, Rita
Shari Carroll
September 27, 2015
Raven & Rita
Shari Carroll
September 27, 2015
Rita, Alex, Betty, Mike, Tony
Shari Carroll
September 27, 2015
Rita
Shari Carroll
September 27, 2015
Lynn Golden
September 25, 2015
Dear Betty, Sid and family, I am so very sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you all. My great childhood friend is gone forever from this world and what saddens me most is that I was not by her side to say their last goodbye. Mischele (Rita)was my wonderful friend and we had many good times. We did keep in touch through letters keeping each other informed, but we'd get sidetracked with our own busy lives,followed her on FB. I thought of her often and her family. She will be greatly missed, and I will cherish the memories I have of her. Heartbroken....
Robin Gallagher
September 25, 2015
To Sid and all Rita's family, My prayers are for you. My thanks are for Rita for knowing her the few years I did. I began helping Kyle with Maya. Soon, I was a member of Eagle Valley for a few years until I could no longer keep up. Some of my best and precious times were with SAR! Thank you, Rita
Paul Waters
September 25, 2015
I am truly sorry to hear of this. Rita was devoted to helping people just like me find their way in life. She will be missed.
Julie Broyles
September 24, 2015
Dear Sid and family,
I'm so sorry to hear of Rita's passing. My thoughts are with you in this time of loss.
JoAnn Asquith
September 24, 2015
Sid,
A message was sent today at SCSU sharing the sad news of Rita's passing. I will always remember serving on the semester conversion committee in 1998 as one of my favorite committee assignments and it was because of Rita's sense of humor and her total dedication of doing things right for students. I can't tell you the number of times over the years I have driven by your house on Killian Blvd and thought of her. My thoughts and prayers are with you now as you deal with her loss. She contributed much to many.
Archie Judd
September 24, 2015
Sorry for your loss, Condolences to Alex,Shari,Ann,Mike,Betty and Sid. Our prayer's are with you.
September 24, 2015
Betty
We are truly sorry for your loss. I enjoyed meeting Rita and the rest of the family down in Florida. She will be missed by everyone with whom she came in contact with. Thinking of you and sending prayers and blessing to you with love.
Vickie and Mike Stoermer
Kissimmee Florida
Sylvia Kingston
September 24, 2015
So sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you.
Betsy Glade
September 24, 2015
I'm so sorry for your loss. Rita was a dynamic, loving human being who helped everyone with whom she came in contact. She certainly contributed to my spiritual and intellectual growth for which I am forever grateful. Blessed be, dear one.
Eric Johnson
September 23, 2015
Truly one of the finest people I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with.
Beth Goldberg
September 23, 2015
I am grateful to have had the chance to know and love Rita. Even more grateful that my son was able to know her and grow stronger in her presence. My love and prayers go out to Rita's entire family and friends.
Dennis Shuman
September 23, 2015
The world is a better place for your time here. You are missed by many. Wishing you a gentle journey, peace and serenity to,Betty, Mike, Annie and Sid.
Lynne & Ronald Emilie
September 23, 2015
We are deeply sorry to hear the news. We would like to express our condolences to family and friends.
Rita was a dedicated woman with enthusiasm and a voice to communicate with others. It was always a pleasure working with her. Rita will be very missed by all!
Respectfully,
Lynne & Ron Emilie NESAR
Marcia Sikowitz
September 23, 2015
My thoughts are with Sid, Mike and Cindy, and Rita's entire family at this sad time.
Steve Pipson
September 22, 2015
Rita was very spirited and fun gal. Never forget playing paintball with Rita and Sid. Thanks for the good times, sage advice and helping in our family's time of need - rest in peace Rita. My condolences Sid and Rita's family.
Chuck Moss
September 22, 2015
It is with such sadness that we heard of Rita's passing. She was a lovely and vibrant leader and care-giver to hundreds if not thousands of teens in crisis. Rita was an able successor to her mother and father, Betty and Tony, who were true champions for teens in need of guidance and a spiritual direction. Condolences and love are extended to Betty, Mike, Annie and Sid.
Terry Schrader
September 22, 2015
We are so sad to hear about Rita's passing. She was so very helpful to our family while our son was at Allynwood. Our condolences and prayers to the Argiros family.
September 22, 2015
Sending our deepest sympathy to all of Rita's family and friends. She was truly a blessing to the kids at FFS. She cared about those kids like they were her own. She now officially has her wings. Bless you all. Former FFS student, Steven Votta and parents, Nancy and Guy
Ruth Smith
September 22, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jennifer Fisk
September 22, 2015
My condolences to Sid and the rest of Rita's family. She came to me for her first SAR dog Ripley. As Rita drove away, I knew Ripley would be trained to the highest level she could achieve. I had the opportunity to train with Rita when she vacationed on MDI. What a treat. RIP my friend Rita.
Amy Baldwin
September 22, 2015
Sending love and prayers from your cousin in california. You will be dearly missed. My condolences to Betty, Sid, Anne and Mike and Alex and family. We are here for you. All our love.
Cherelle Stanton
September 22, 2015
Sending Love and heartfelt prayers to Sid, Betty, Mike, Annie and their families as well as all of the extended family Rita made her own. So many lives have been touched, so many hearts now saddened. Praying for the Blessing of serenity for Rita and for us all.
Jim Picozzi
September 22, 2015
The Hancock Rotary Club is deeply saddened by your passing. We offer our deepest condolences to your family, as weil as our love and prayers.
Jim Picozzi, President 2014-2016
Hancock Rotary Club
Douglas and Nancy Oelfke
September 22, 2015
We are saddened by your passing. You will be missed and never forgotten. Sending our love and prayers. Douglas and Nancy Oelfke
September 22, 2015
I will never forget the many many hours of thinking, planning, discussing, in your office and in mine; the goal always; how to best help a student. I am shocked by the loss of my friend. My deepest sympathies to Sid, Betty, Mike, and Annie
-Mark Vogel
Mary Dillard
September 22, 2015
Our family is deeply saddened by your passing. The love and caring that you showed our son , Mason, and Mike and me will never be forgotten. Many blessings to you Rita. To your family, our thoughts and prayers are with you
Bruce Kinzinger
September 22, 2015
Rita, you were given so many gifts of the heart and mind. And you shared them so bountifully with us all! Thank you.
May you similarly find generous peace and delight in the arms of the Author of those gifts, and may that peace come to your family and all those you touched.
Tricia Heldmann
September 22, 2015
Deepest condolences to Rita's family and friends from her friends at TASK-9 in CT. She will be very missed by all and those of us in the SAR community, especially, with her absence at conferences and seminars. Deeply, deeply saddened at her passing.
Isabel Kromer
September 22, 2015
My family and I are so sorry to hear about this. Sending thoughts and prayers to your entire family..
Monica Birdsall
September 21, 2015
You weren't just a co-worker, you were a friend to so many and helped change so many lives!! I am blessed to have had the chance to work with you and will never forget the wonderful woman you were!! To all of the Argiros family and Sid my thoughts and prayers are with you!!!
Panagiotis Family
September 21, 2015
We will always remember the closeness, the good times and bad times, fun times and sad times we shared with your family from the time Michelle was born. You will always be our "family". We pray God will give the family strength as we say goodbye to a beautiful person inside and out.
Mary Burkart
September 21, 2015
With fond memories of Rita and deepest sympathy to Betty, Sid, and the entire Argiros family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Barb Thorbjornsson
September 21, 2015
Condolences to her many family members in this time of grief.
Bud and Rose brown
September 21, 2015
We are sorry for your loss Alex and we send condolence to all of the family
September 21, 2015
Sympathies to all of Rita (Michelle) families.....prayers to you during this very sad time....Bob and Judy Rebich
Amy Larkin
September 21, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss!
Showing 1 - 87 of 87 results
Make a Donation
in Rita Argiros's name
Memorial Events
for Rita Argiros
Funeral services provided by:
Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel29 East Main Street, Hancock, NY 13783
How to support Rita's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Rita Argiros's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
