Rita M. Kania

Rita M. (Gregorchik) Kania, 73, of Natrona Heights, passed away peacefully at Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot on Monday, March 8, 2021. She was born May 30, 1947 in Johnstown, a daughter of the late Edward and Emma (Cherney) Gregorchik. Rita was a graduate of the West Penn School of Nursing. She worked as a operating room nurse for 24 years for UPMC and retired after 10 years at Allegheny Valley Hospital. Rita was a member of Guardian Angels Parish, Most Blessed Sacrament Church, where she was a Eucharist Minister and an active member of the Ladies of Charity. She enjoyed reading, hosting large family dinners, traveling, especially to her favorite destination, St. Martin in the Caribbean and in her younger years she enjoyed skiing.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband of 34 years, Charles M. Kania; daughter, Kelly A. Foster, of Johnstown; grandchildren, Rylee and Braedan Maldet; brother, Ronald (Shirley) Gregorchik, of Johnstown; brothers-in-law, Michael Stein Sr., of Baltimore, Maryland and John M. Kania, of Tarentum; sister-in-law, Mary Beth (Richard) Brake; niece, Kari Rosenbaum; nephews, Eric (Mandy) Gregorchik, Tom (Brittany) Gregorchik, Michael Stein Jr., Richard Brake Jr. and Jonathan Brake. In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her grandson, Colin James Maldet on September 8, 2003 and by her sister, Donna (Gregorchik) Stein.

Friends will be received on Wednesday from 2-4, 6-8 p.m. in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle Street, Natrona Heights 724-224-8688. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in Most Blessed Sacrament Church with her pastor the Rev. John B. Lendvai as celebrant. Entombment will follow in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Frazer Twp. The Ladies of Charity will hold a service in the funeral home on Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. Please be prepared to follow all CDC guidelines in regards to wearing of a face covering, social distancing and crowd size. To send an online condolence please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.