Rhea Cecile Camarata

RHEA CECILE CAMARATA September 13, 1920 – April 20, 2006 "She was a perfect woman." Rhea Cecile Krisko Camarata, mother of nine children, was truly a perfect lady, mother and wife. From Butler, PA to Germany after WWII, through Denver, CO and to Southern California, Rhea, with her beloved husband, Samuel Camarata, lived a long, rich and fruitful life. The wife of a dedicated and busy surgeon, Rhea raised her large and lively family with a grace and love rarely encountered. Her entire family remains close and will miss her forever. She was a wonderful wife, mother and sister, a superb cook, bookkeeper, and manager. She loved worldwide travel and spending as much time as she could with her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. Rhea died peacefully on April 20, 2006. At her bedside were her husband of 63 years, Sam and their 8 children. Born Rhea Cecile Krisko in Kane, Pennsylvania to John and Bess Krisko, she grew up in Butler, PA with her sister Patricia. Rhea graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority. Rhea married Dr. Samuel John Camarata on June 5th, 1943. They had 9 children (a son Thomas passed away in 1955). Rhea worked and raised her children while her husband Sam served in active duty as an officer during World War II and the Korean War. Rhea and Sam moved to California in 1950 and have lived here ever since. Rhea was active as a volunteer at Children's Hospital of Orange County and in many school and community organizations and activities. She was an incredible woman of great beauty who had nothing but love for everyone and brought joy and strength to everyone she met. Rhea was a wise woman who loved traveling, children, art, music, animals and flowers. Rhea is survived by her husband Samuel, her sister Patricia and her children Gerald (Claudia), Santa Rosa, CA, Celie (Hein), Phoenix, AZ, Peter (Debbie), Orange, CA, Samuel (Daryl), Bend, OR, Christopher (Penny), McArthur, CA, John, Sebastopol, CA, Michaele (Steve), Boise, ID, and Patricia, Healdsburg, CA, and by her grandchildren Xica Reeves, Taj Reeves, Molly Joyce, Thomas Joyce, Emily Joyce, Sam Joyce, Jeremiah Camarata, Samuel Camarata, Katie Camarata, Meghan Rosen, Wade Yule, Cody Camarata, Heide Camarata, Checca Camarata, Hannah Camarata, Jonathan Camarata, Rhea Schoustra, Anneke Schoustra and Sjoukje Schoustra. A viewing will be held from 4pm to 8pm on April 28th, with a Rosary at 7pm, at Saddleback Mortuary Chapel in Tustin. A funeral Mass will be held at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church in Rancho Santa Margarita at 8am on April 29th with a private family interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Joseph Health System Home Care Services: Hospice, 1845 W. Orangewood, Ave., Suite 100, Orange CA 92868.