R. Prabucki former hospital receptionist Rita

April 28, 1928 – Jan. 17, 2014

Rita R. Prabucki, of West Seneca, a former office receptionist at Women & Children's Hospital, died Jan. 17 in HighPointe on Michigan Health Care Facility after a long illness. She was 85.

Born Rita Podlas in Buffalo, she grew up in Kaisertown and was a graduate of St. Casimir's School and South Park High School.

She worked for Sportservice as a counter clerk in Memorial Auditorium in the 1970s and was a receptionist in the business office at Women & Children's Hospital. She retired in 1987.

Active for many years at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Mrs. Prabucki, the mother of eight children, was an officer in the parish Home School Association, the Parish Parents Organization, the Bishop's Committee for Christian Home and Family and the Mothers Club. She served from 1973 to 1975 on the church's Education Committee and as vice president of the Financial Committee. She also was a member of the Ladies of Charity and Legion of Mary. In 1975, she and her husband were appointed to serve in the Pre-Cana program.

After moving to West Seneca in 1981, she became a parishioner at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Elma, where she was a member of the Ladies Guild and served two-year terms in every office of the Senior Citizen Society. She and her husband also were volunteers at the Holy Name Society fish fry dinners during Lent for many years. She also was active with the West Seneca Senior Citizens Club and, as a member of the Polish Genealogical Society, helped prepare agendas for their meetings and assisted at the annual Villa Maria Lawn Fete.

Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Edward R.; three daughters, Margaret Dunn, Mary Jane Cutrona and Karin Adams; three sons, Michael, James and Bernard; two sisters, Lucille Ess and Diane Dubiel; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Saturday in St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Elma.