Rita P. Burkey

Rita P. Burkey was taken home to our Heavenly Father late Friday, December 4, 2020, peacefully in her sleep from Rittenhouse Village of Muhlenberg. She died one week shy of her 95th birthday. Rita was the loving widow of Lloyd R. Burkey Jr., who passed away June 4, 1967 approximately one week shy of his 42nd birthday.

Born in Reading, she was a child of the late James M. and Anne C. (Leitham) O'Reilly. She graduated from Central Catholic High School and from East Stroudsburg State Teacher's College. Rita retired from teaching Health & PhysEd at Reading High School, where she worked for 23 years, in 1989. She coached girl's bowling at RHS, even had two-year victories. She was an avid bowler, golfer, loved to read, play bridge, dance, travel, dining out, her sweets, and spending time with her family & friends.

Rita is survived by her four children: Gary D. (Anne) of Fleet Hampshire, England; Scott M. (Melodie) of Exeter; Patricia A (Burkey) Keever (Max)of Sinking Spring and Craig M. of Lower Heidelberg; eight beloved grandchildren; 13 treasured great grandchildren; and her brother, James A. O'Reilly, widower of Marge, of Lansdale. In addition to her parents and her husband, Rita was predeceased by her brother Jack O'Reilly, wife Helen, and close friend, Carl Glass.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rita's memory may be offered to the Greater Berks Food Bank at Helping Harvest, 117 Morgan Dr, Reading, PA 19608, or to the St. Catharine of Siena Scholarship fund, 2330 Perkiomen Ave, Reading, PA 19606.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be privately celebrated on Thursday, December 10, 2020 beginning at 10:30AM at St Ignatius Loyola, West Lawn. Burial will also be private at Gethsemane Cemetery, Laureldale, at the request of the family.

The Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to assist in arrangements. Condolences, tributes, and fond memories may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.