Rita M. Schaffer

     Rita M. Schaffer, age 79, of Tionesta, PA, died on Wednesday afternoon, February 4, 2026, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.  She was born on July 18, 1946, in Fryburg, PA, daughter of the late Thomas E. and Augusta E. (Siegel) Eck.

     She attended the former St. Michael’s School in Fryburg before graduating from North Clarion High School in the class of 1964.  On June 12, 1971, at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church in Tionesta, she married Richard E. Schaffer, Sr., who survives.  She was a longtime, faithful member of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church in Tionesta, where she was active with the Ladies’ Guild and the choir.  Rita worked at the Kilmer and McGinnis and Blum’s stores in Tionesta before retiring from Blair Corporation in Irvine, PA.  Finding retirement a bit too quiet, she returned to work as a greeter at Walmart in Cranberry, PA, where she enjoyed staying busy and visiting with people.  Her favorite pastimes included crossword puzzles, birdwatching, collecting cardinals, and spending peaceful hours on the front porch chatting with neighbors.

     In addition to her husband, Richard, she is survived by her son, Richard E. Schaffer, Jr., of Leeper, PA.  Her daughter, Julie S. Pisani and her husband Darrin of Norwalk, CT.  Her granddaughter, Schaffer Pisani, at home in Norwalk. Two brothers, Paul Eck and his wife Nancy of Tionesta, and George Eck of Tidioute, PA.  Several nieces and nephews, including Denna Port-Vogan of Oil City, PA, and Mike Port of Hershey, PA, with whom she was especially close.  Her dear friend, Edie Stitzinger, of Tionesta.

     In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by seven brothers: Ed, Bob, Bernard, Thomas Richard, Jim, and John Eck.  Five sisters: Sister Mary Joseph Eck, Grace Aymong, Mary Port, and twins Mary and Ann Eck in infancy.

     Friends are welcome to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church in Tionesta with Father Joseph Kalinowski celebrating the mass.  Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Tionesta.   Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman J. Wimer Funeral Home of Tionesta.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, c/o St. John Roman Catholic Church, 25 First Street, Tidioute, PA 16351.