Rita M. Sarmousakis

Rita M. Pedicone Sarmousakis, age 95, of Wilmington, DE passed away on March 15, 2026. Born in Wilmington, DE, Rita is the daughter of the late Elena (Angelozzi) and Anthony Pedicone. Rita was a 1948 graduate of Wilmington High School. She started a 29-year career with Sears, Roebuck and Company in the Auditing Department. She spent 8 years in numerous Sears operations in the Eastern Territory teaching, training and helping to set up new stores. She returned to Wilmington with the opening of the new store at Prices Corner. In November 1971, she was assigned as the first female Controller of the Eastern Territory at the Sears Fashion Distribution Center in Newport, DE. She was offered a position in the Parent Accounting Offices of Sears, Roebuck in Chicago, IL, which she did not accept due to her impending marriage to Dr. Sarmousakis. She retired in March 1977. Rita was one of the original members of St. John the Beloved Catholic Church.

Rita was predeceased by her beloved husband of 38 years, Dr. Gregory Sarmousakis, on March 7, 2013. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Louisa Flacco, Antonina Willey, and Elizabeth Mangini, as well as her niece, Elana Dashiell.

Rita is survived by her step children, John Sarmousakis (Andrea) of Newark, DE, William Sarmousakis of Wilmington, DE, and Wendy Sarmousakis of Spencer, Iowa; her step grandchildren, Ana, Kaden, Christopher, Greg and Sierra; her nephews, Joseph (Jean) and Michael (Rosanna) Mangini; her great nephew and niece, Michael and Courtney Mangini; her goddaughter, Beth Ann Bell and her friend, Lori Forster.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM, at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. There will be no viewing. Family and friends are invited to a visitation at the church from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Entombment will be in Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington, DE in the Crypt of La Pieta, with her husband. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713.