Rita M. Morrissey, 84, a longtime resident of Swoyersville, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, October 23, 2015, at the Little Flower Manor, Wilkes-Barre, where she was a guest for the past month. For the past few years, Rita had been residing at Saint Therese Residence, Wilkes-Barre.

Her first husband was the late Joseph Hoffman, who passed away in 1956. Her second husband of nearly 48 years was the late Richard M. Morrissey, who passed away on May 10, 2011.

Born on October 01, 1931, in Wilkes-Barre, Rita was the daughter of the late Anthony B. Karpien and Clara R. (Rudinski) Karpien.

Raised in Hudson, Rita was a graduate of the former Plains Memorial High School, Class of 1949.

Prior to her retirement, Rita was employed as a bookkeeper for various places during her years working.

A faithful and devout Catholic, Rita was a past member of the former Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, Swoyersville, where she held membership with the church’s Couple’s Club. Following the consolidation of her church, she became a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Parish, Swoyersville.

Rita had a great love and appreciation for music throughout her life. As a young girl, she played the french horn for Plains Memorial High School’s Marching Band, and also played the piano for the school’s orchestra.

Family was the focal point of Rita’s daily life and she truly enjoyed every moment she had with her loved ones. She will forever be remembered as a wonderful and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

In addition to her parents, Anthony and Clara Karpien; her first husband, Joseph Hoffman; and her second husband, Richard M. Morrissey, Rita was preceded in death by her brother, Anthony L. Karpien.

Rita is survived by her children, Patricia A. Hoffman-Pytleski and her husband John V. Pytleski, Sweet Valley; James Richard Morrissey and his wife Carol, Swoyersville; Kathryn M. Ferrence and her husband Michael Ferrence, Hanover Township; her Grandchildren, Rita Lynn Morrissey Boyd, Michael Ferrence, Alyssa Ferrence, Amanda Karalunas, Raymond Appleby, Victor D. Pytleski, Laura Daloisio, and Ryan J. Pytleski; her ten great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated on Monday, October 26, 2015, at 11:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Reverend Joseph J. Pisaneschi, her Pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Mount Olivet Roman Catholic Cemetery, Carverton.

In keeping with Rita’s wishes, the viewing will be private for her immediate family members.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

For additional information or to send Rita’s family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home web-site www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rita’s memory to Saint Therese Residence, 260 South Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18702.