Rita M. Franco

Rita M. (Ermentrout) Franco, 88, of Reading, PA passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her husband and daughters on April 12, 2015.

She was born to the late George and Loretta (Henke) Ermentrout on August 26, 1926. After graduation from Central Catholic High School in 1944 she attended St.Joseph"s Nursing School with subsequent graduation in 1947. She married the love of her life, Tom on April 15,1950. Her true passions in life were fulfilled in her roles as loving wife, exemplary mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. Her love of life and deep faith were an inspiration to all who knew her. Her family and friends' fondest memories will be of time spent with her at her kitchen table, talking and laughing over a cup of coffee.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Tom and her five daughters, Cindy (Javier) Simons of Melbourne, FL, Patty (Jake) Jacoby of Hershey, PA., Beth (Jerry) Simcik of Reading, PA, Barb (Jim) Hudson of Bronxville, NY, Kathy Franco of LaGrange IL, 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son Tom. She is also survived by her sister Loretta (Sue) Chelius, brother John (Jack) Ermentrout, and predeceased by her sister Margaret (Peg) Horrigan, and brothers, Fredrick (Fred) Ermentrout, and George (Red) Ermentrout.

A visitation will be held Friday April 17, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 18 at 11 a.m. in St Catharine of Siena Church, 4975 Boyertown Pike, Exeter Twp. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Catharine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA 19606 or John Paul II Center for Special Learning, 1092 Welsh Road, Shillington, PA 19607. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.