Rita Belle

Rita Belle passed away on May 11, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 90. The following was written by Rita on December 1, 2015: "Life Story of Rita Belle I was born in Detroit, gifted to immigrant parents, Romanian dad, and Hungarian mom. I am the baby of five children; we all worked in our family grocery store. I learned to serve early age. Not all pleasant memories, as we were "held up" 13 times, myself included. I attended Catholic Schools from grades 1-12 where my faith was deeply rooted in love, forgiveness, and trust in the Lord. Life moved fast, married at nineteen and soon a mother of four. Without warning, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 28; surgery followed thus limiting my growing family. As soon as I was able, I renewed my lifelong passion, nursing. Entered Mercy College and received my RN License, how exciting! I immediately encountered my first major nursing challenge. It had been 60 years since my father saw his relatives in Romania, the family joined him on his trek. Stopping in a small village, Brashov for breakfast, dad suddenly collapsed in the street. Instantly, I administered CPR only to feel him slip away in my arms. He would not see his sisters. However, he rests in his beloved village, Sebis, his birth place. Over the years our family would jump in the van and travel west, sleeping at KOA Campgrounds. Colorado captured our hearts. We purchased some land and moved to Colorado. I designed and we constructed an award-winning Passive/Solar House, even making the touring circuit. A sad note to this exciting chapter of life was the end of a 28-year marriage. I took a position caring for an elderly woman, who had fallen off her "horse" and fractured her hip. At 90, this woman was full of life, an inspiration, what a role model for us gals! During this time, I learned to ride a horse, brand, ear tag, immunize, feed, and, fix fences! For the next 10 years I embraced a new life of cattle ranching. By this time, our grown children had moved to Arizona. Later in 1991, I would join them. Always present has been life's dark shadow; my cancer was never fax away. Four times it sidetracked my life and thankfully the last sixteen years have been cancer free. We cannot be afraid of the shadows, each day is too precious, and there is still good work to be done. Having a heart for the poor and marginalized, I joined "Habitat for Humanity", Romania. Six mission trips, building houses, and reuniting with my relatives. They, have become a growing part of my family, a source of many joyous moments. Also, volunteering for 18 years with nursing, caring for the homeless and uninsured, with anon-profit group, "Mission of Mercy". Somewhere along my journey, I became a skin care consultant and provide products & services for the well being and health care of others. As fate would have it, my service ministry allowed me to be a conduit for others to do good. One homeless atheist man, in my care, was a belated blessing in the Lord's plan. My humble part was to open his heart to the boundless opportunities for good. In his final hours, he accepted Jesus Christ. After his death, I learned that he was a multi-millionaire and generously bequeathed his wealth to, Mission of Mercy, Habit for Humanity, St Vincent DePaul and many other charities'. God plans and we serve. More blessings continued with 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. We are going on a family trip to Costa Rica and looking forward to exploring the jungle, desert, rain forest, and the thrill of "zip lining". I am living a fantastic single life, serving the lord at every opportunity." To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rita Belle, please visit our floral store.