Rita O’Gara, age 96, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at the Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville, NY.
Rita had moved to Fayetteville in the fall of 2007 to be with her daughter Linda Tait. Nine years later she became a resident at the Iroquois where she touched many lives. Her family is grateful for the comfort and care demonstrated by the staff members at Iroquois during the past two and half years as well as for the love and support provided to her by dear friends, Pat Albin and Audrey Maloney.
Rita was born on October 7, 1922, in Champlain, NY and was the 6th child of the late Gustave and Laura Filion. Upon completion of her education at St. Mary’s Academy in Champlain NY, Rita moved to Saranac Lake where she met and married the love of her life, John Richard O’Gara, and later gave birth to her daughter, Linda.
Rita is also survived by her grandson Gregory (Kathleen) Tait, two great-grandsons, Alexander James and Owen Sawyer, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her husband John, and 8 siblings; Irene, John, Andrew, Eva, Joseph, Cecile, Jeanne and Anna.
Local funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake, 20 Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY (fortunekeoughfuenralhome.com). A funeral mass and burial will take place in Saranac Lake this spring with the date to be announced.
Contributions in Rita’s memory may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 400 Salt Springs Road, Fayetteville NY 13066 or to St. Bernard’s Church, 27 St. Bernard Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. For guest book, please visit: www.SCHEPPFAMILY.com