Rita M. (Patrone) Pomilio

Rita M. Pomilio, 93, of Naples, FL passed away on March 7, 2023. She was born and raised in South Philadelphia and was the seventh of nine children born to the late Michael and Hilda (Ranieri) Patrone. She attended South Philadelphia High School and, in 1952, married her childhood sweetheart, Stanley, who lived next door. (Their respective row homes actually shared a common wall.) The newlywed couple moved West to Texas and then to California while Stanley served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. They later returned East to start a successful appliance sales and service business in Norristown, Pennsylvania, where both Rita and Stan worked side-by-side for 35 years. They retired “down the shore” in Longport, New Jersey, and later moved to Naples, Florida to be near their daughters and grandchildren. She and Stanley shared nearly 65 years of marriage before his death in 2016.

Rita, also called “Blondie”, by her beloved husband, was a truly devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was a charismatic, energetic, vivacious and generous woman who brought a spirit of celebration to any occasion. She loved hosting large family parties for holidays, birthdays, christenings and showers, although any excuse for a gathering was a joy. As an exceptional cook, hostess and entertainer, she liked nothing better than a full table and a household rich with laughter. Many of her home cooked recipes have been passed on to the next generations as a tribute to her culinary talent. While among the youngest of her family, she was often looked upon as a matriarch, with family members seeking her listening ear and wise counsel over a seemingly bottomless pot of coffee.

Rita was a woman of deep faith who attended daily Mass for most of her life and joined in the weekly Perpetual Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. She found much solace and comfort in her faith, praying daily even after she could no longer attend mass. As an expression of her outreach and love, she included those who found themselves in need to her already long daily prayer list. Many have benefited from her lifelong devotion.

Rita is survived by four children: Stan Pomilio Jr. (Linda), Hildy “Dede” Poeltl (David), Mark Pomilio (Carole) and Mary Pomilio; five grandchildren: Katie Poeltl Fox (Ben), Eric Poeltl (Amanda), Emily Pomilio, Mark Pomilio Jr., and Matthew Pomilio; and two great grandchildren, Kinsley and Bowen Fox. She is also survived by her sister, MaryAnn Bongiovanni. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Stanley, and her brothers, Dominic, Frank, Anthony, Michael, Alfred and Edward, as well as her sister Lucy (DiElsi). Blessed to have come from a large family, she is also survived by many cherished nephews and nieces, who were, each and every one of them, her “favorites”. She also had a cadre of friends who were truly like family, even referred to as aunts and uncles. She made life so very special for every person who was blessed to know her. She will be deeply and profoundly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Viewing Saturday, April 1, 2023 9:30AM St. Kevin's Church 200 Sproul Road, Springfield, PA, 19064 and to her Funeral Mass 10:30AM in the Church. Interment SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery.

The family requests contribution in memory of Rita, to AVOW Hospice of Naples https://avowcares.org/ways-to-give/

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