Rita F. Gaspari

Rita F. (Fabiani) Gaspari, 82 of Temple, died April 3, 2010 at 2:45 am in the Lutheran Home at Topton.

She was the wife of Arthur Gaspari, who died May 6, 1973.

Born in Reading, PA on April 14, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Silvio and Laura (Cittidini) Fabiani.

Rita was a 1945 graduate of Muhlenberg High School and a 1949 graduate of Ursinus College, Collegeville.

She was a member of Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, Hyde Park, where she was also a past officer of the womens club at the church.

Rita was a former co-owner of Gaspari Bros, Inc and Gaspari Mushroom Company, Inc., Temple until her retirement in 1986. She was also a past member of the American Mushroom Institute and a legislative committee member for the Berks County Farm Bureau. Rita was also a past co-owner, officer and director of Mount Laurel Canning Corporation, Temple. She had been a past committee member with the Italian-American Cultural Center, Reading, and a co-founder of "La Festa della Donna", Reading, an organization that celebrated the accomplishments of Italian-American Women, as well as being a lifelong member of the women's auxiliary at St. Marco Society, Temple.

She is survived by three children: Peter F., husband of Sharon L. (Seyler) Gaspari of Temple; Dr. Michael M, husband of Marsha K. (Strickler) Gaspari of Charlotte, North Carolina and James A., husband of Kathleen (McIntyre) Gaspari of Lenhartsville.

Other survivors include four grandchildren: Melissa A. (Gaspari), wife of Jeffrey Reiniger; Andrew P. Gaspari; Daniel P. Gaspari and Sarah M. Gaspari.

There are also three great grandchildren: Dominic, Peter and Derek.

Rita was predeceased by a brother, Mario J. Fabiani, who died August 16, 2006 and by a grandson, Arthur Christopher Gaspari, who died March 26, 2009.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10:00 am in Holy Guardian Angels R.C. Church, Hyde Park. Viewings will be held Friday evening 6:30 - 8:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 - 9:30 am in Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Inc., 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Covenant House, 460 West 41st St., New York, NY 10036-6898; www.covenanthouseny.org or to Feed the Children, 333 North Meridian Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73107-6568, www.feedthechildren.org.

For online condolences, visit www.christfuneralhome.com