Rita E. Parra

Rita E. Parra passed away peacefully at Phelps Hospital on October 22, 2022, at age 79. She was surrounded by those who loved her deeply - her husband Frank of nearly 54 years, her children Jennifer and David along with her son-in-law Michael Ursone. She is survived by her sister, Linda Greenberg and a multitude of cousins.

Those who took the road to heaven before her were her parents Rose and Joe DiCaro and her daughter Jane Jessica who died at birth on December 10, 1979. 

Rita was a Brooklyn girl for her first 25 years of her life, and it always held a special place in her heart. The next 7 years were spent in the Bronx where her daughter Jennifer was born. Rita then fell in love with Briarcliff Manor where her son David was born. Rita truly cherished the next 47 years of her life as a Briarcliff girl and passed on to eternity with Briarcliff roots.

Rita graduated with a commercial diploma from Lafayette High School in Brooklyn. She then worked for New York University (NYU) for several years in varying capacities. Her last assignment was as a secretary at the NYU Graduate School of Business in the admissions office. After leaving NYU she worked for two pharmaceutical companies, Merck and later the Vick Chemical Company. Jennifer was born in March of 1975 and she became a full-time mom which fulfilled her life as family was everything to her.

When her children were grown, she worked as a volunteer comforting the elderly at the Bethel Nursing home. This was not the end of Rita’s service to her fellow man and to our community. When her friend opened the Christian Nursery School, Rita went back into the work force as a teacher’s aide. Miss Rita, as she was called helped influence the next generation of Briarcliff children. She loved these children as if they were her own and she was in turn loved back by them. She retired for good on June 30, 2007.

Rita’s life was a life of dedication and love to others. Rather than morn her passing now as there will be plenty of time for that later by those who loved her and will miss her presence most, we want to celebrate a life well lived. Her wake will be at the Waterbury and Kelly Funeral Home on Wednesday October 26, 2022. Viewing hours will be 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm. The next day at 10am there will be a funeral mass at St. Theresa’s Church where Rita has been a parishioner as long as she has lived in Briarcliff. This will be followed by her internment at the Gate of Heaven’s Our Lady Queen of Peace Mausoleum. All who also loved her are welcome at these proceedings.

Live Stream Link: https://vimeo.com/event/2547444/723f014f01

WATERBURY & KELLY FUNERAL HOME

1300 Pleasantville Road

Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510

914-941-0838

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rita E. Parra, please visit our floral store.