Obituary of Rita K. Hatzinger

Rita Kathryn (Nold) Hatzinger, of Blossvale, NY, died peacefully at home, September 22, 2014, surrounded by her family. She was born May 20, 1915, in Dix, NY, a daughter of the late Louis and Elizabeth Fitzgerald Nold. She attended the Academy of Holy Names, graduating in 1933. On November 11, 1939, Rita married Stewart Hatzinger at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Rome, a loving marriage of 43 years; he died in 1982. After raising her family, Rita worked in the cafeteria at Camden Central School. She was famous among students and staff for her homemade cinnamon buns. She retired in 1980. She was a devout Catholic and attended daily Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Taberg, where she also taught CCD for many years and was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. While raising her children, she served as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader and led several 4-H Clubs. She also served as the Director of Recreation for the Town of Annsville for 20 years. She was active in the Blossvale Home Bureau, the Rome AARP and the Annsville Friendship Club, who named her "Citizen of the Year" in 2000. Rita will be remembered by family and friends as an avid gardener, a great baker, an artist, a seamstress and how she loved watching birds at her many feeders. But most of all, she will be remembered as someone who loved her family; they were truly her passion in life. Rita is survived by four daughters, Bonnie (Al) Drescher, Jill (Terry) Schaal, Debbie (Joe) Carolla and Lori (Kevin) Ryan; and a daughter in law, Jeannie Hatzinger. She was predeceased by her son, Jim Hatzinger, in 2009. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Laurie Drescher, Elena Drescher, Amy Kackison, Jennifer Miller, Ryan Drescher, Ginny Stewart, Jimmer, Willie and Stu Hatzinger, Danyll Lockett, Todd and Eric Schaal, Michael, Kevin and Ed Carolla; 21 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. She also was predeceased by her brother and sister in law, Francis and Margaret Nold; 2 great great grandchildren, Brooklyn and Cooper Cunningham The family would like to thank Hospice, and her caregivers, Betty Hamner, Christine Hammon, Shannon Nagy, Peg Herrig, Leslie Watkins and Theresa Coutou, for their compassion, care and kindness. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9:45 AM from the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Friday 4 to 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, 4277 Middle settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413. Please offer online tributes or light a candle at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com