Rita Ann DiAntonio

Rita Ann (nee Cianto) DiAntonio, age 83, of Upper Darby, passed away suddenly on March 28, 2026.
Beloved wife of 53 years to the late William A. DiAntonio, Jr., who passed
away in 2018.
Loving mother to Rita (Robert) Vahey, William A.III (Stephanie) DiAntonio,
Fredric M. (Hope Cathryn) DiAntonio. Adoring grandmother to Talia, Fiorio,
Emma, Vienna, Bryan, Joseph, and Elizabeth. Great-grandmother to Brayden,
Logan, Nathan, Noah, Navy, Carson, Isabelle.
Rita was predeceased by her mother, Marie (D'Urso) Cianto, and her f ather
Guido Federico Cianto, her b rothers Donato Cianto and Michael Cianto.
Rita was raised in the Italian Overbrook neighborhood of West Philadelphia
next to her parish, Saint Donato's.
Rita was employed at General Electric, where she met her husband Bill, and
then moved to Upper Darby, where she raised her three children. She volunteered a nd assisted
the children at St. Laurence Catholic School in Upper Darby, PA. She continued volunteering for
the Augustinians at Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, PA.
Remaining with the Augustinian s, she flourished and transitioned to Villanova University for 27 years,
working for the Dean of Enrollment Management. She believed education was the
foundation of success. She received both her bachelor's and master's degrees while working
full-time at Villanova. Villanova University was the pinnacle of her employment and her second
home. She was ecstatic upon the election of Pope Leo XIV, a Villanova alumnus.
She had a great love for Wildwood Crest, NJ, where she worked many summers managing
multiple motels and used her experience to teach her children about the hospitality industry.
She was an avid sports fan, always cheering on her Philly teams. Rita was a loving mother
and cook who took great joy in providing meals for her family and friends. She will be deeply missed.
Relatives and f riends are invited to her viewing and funeral on Wednesday, April 8 th, from
9:30 – 10:15 am at St Thomas of Villanova Church, 800 E. Lancaster Ave.
Villanova, Pa. 19085. Rita's funeral mass will be at 10:30 am. Interment will
be at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery.
Arrangements by Stigale Memorial Home of Aston.
Condolences may be made at www.danjolell.com.

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