Rita A. Wisinski

Rita Ann Wisinski, a beloved aunt and cherished sister, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 31, 2025, at the age of 67, following a brief illness.
Rita was known for her generous spirit and enthusiasm for life, always marching to the beat of her own drum. She will be profoundly missed by those who were lucky enough to have known her. Born in Erie, PA to Raymond and Carol Wisinski, Rita was the third of six sisters. Her endless love for family and desire to help others led her to become a nurse at St. Vincent Health Center. Passionate for learning, she later went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Penn State University while still working full time. For 46 years, she dedicated herself to cardiology, training countless others while maintaining her high standard of work.
Outside of her career, Rita led a full and vibrant life and was deeply involved in the upbringing of her many nieces and nephews. She enthusiastically championed their achievements and remained a loyal presence at every sports game, music performance, and awards ceremony. She offered her time and resources generously, and was always the first to volunteer and the last to leave. Rita loved the outdoors, particularly taking walks at Presque Isle with her dog, bird watching, gardening, and kayaking. Fun loving, creative, and out-going, she enjoyed experimenting with new hobbies and crafts. You could find her teaching spin classes, volunteering at her church, traveling with friends, and attending concerts and musicals.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents and her niece, Tammy Kestle Bower.
She is survived by her sisters; Nancy Kestle, Rae Ann (Norman) Craft, Jackie (Tim) Haaf, Kathy (Herb) Combs, and Christine (Kevin) Tobin, as well as many nieces, nephews, and countless others who affectionately called her "Aunt Rita".
Family and friends are invited to gather at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Road, on Saturday, April 5th, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., with a brief service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita's memory may be made to the Presque Isle Partnership at http://www.discoverpi.com/support.
Please visit http://www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to leave a condolence on Rita's Tribute Page. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Rita, please visit our Tree Store.