On the morning of September 24, 2018, Rita E. Bustin passed quietly into eternal rest at the Robert Packer Hospital surrounded by family and a dear friend Patricia Benson.
Rita was born April 27, 1930 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Elmira, NY to James F. and Mary M. McKee Bustin. She spent her early youth in Lowman, NY where her parents farmed and in the late 1930’s the family moved to Troy, PA where they owned and operated a farm until 1969.
Rita was a graduate of Troy High School in the class of 1947 and soon after she secured her first position in the working world at the Berlinger Silk Mill in Towanda. She remained at Berlinger’s until the mill was destroyed by a fire. After the Berlinger fire she returned to Troy and worked as a telephone operator for the Commonwealth Telephone Company, after which she was employed by Dr. George Lopatofsky as a dental assistant in his practice in Troy. In 1969, after the death of her father, Rita, her mother, and sister Mary moved to Towanda. In Towanda Rita worked for Dr. Nicholas O. Prusack in his dental practice and later secured employment with the Commonwealth Telephone Company as an operator she held that position until Commonwealth decided to close their Towanda office after an employee strike. Rita spent the last ten years of her working career in the employment of Dr. Bart Young in his optometry office. After retirement she and the Young’s remained close friends.
Rita was born April 27, 1930 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Elmira, NY to James F. and Mary M. McKee Bustin. She spent her early youth in Lowman, NY where her parents farmed and in the late 1930’s the family moved to Troy, PA where they owned and operated a farm until 1969.
Rita was a graduate of Troy High School in the class of 1947 and soon after she secured her first position in the working world at the Berlinger Silk Mill in Towanda. She remained at Berlinger’s until the mill was destroyed by a fire. After the Berlinger fire she returned to Troy and worked as a telephone operator for the Commonwealth Telephone Company, after which she was employed by Dr. George Lopatofsky as a dental assistant in his practice in Troy. In 1969, after the death of her father, Rita, her mother, and sister Mary moved to Towanda. In Towanda Rita worked for Dr. Nicholas O. Prusack in his dental practice and later secured employment with the Commonwealth Telephone Company as an operator she held that position until Commonwealth decided to close their Towanda office after an employee strike. Rita spent the last ten years of her working career in the employment of Dr. Bart Young in his optometry office. After retirement she and the Young’s remained close friends.
Rita was a woman of unquestionable faith and a member of SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Towanda, she participated in parish activities, committees and was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society of the parish. The high point of Rita’s Sunday was attending Mass and visiting with members of the parish. Her warm smile attracted many friends that Rita treasured during her life.
Rita will be long remembered by her family for her many stories and anecdotes about the Bustin family that she loved to share and in doing so preserved the history of the family by passing the stories down.
Rita was predeceased by her father James Francis Bustin, December 17, 1968, her mother Mary Marguerite McKee Bustin, December 3, 1979, very special cousins and lifelong friends Robert J. Bustin, May 16, 2016 and Edward J. Bustin, September 5, 1998.
She is survived by her sister and best friend Mary F. Bustin of Towanda, cousins Margaret Young, Troy; Mary Lou Allen, Athens; Michael Bustin, Lititz, PA,; Nancy Bustin, Towanda; Mary E. O’Hara, Athens; William O’Hara, Sayre; Ellen Molnar, Athens; Patricia Drake, Big Flats, NY; Mary Laura Sturzen, Athens; Susan Giordano, Towanda; Annette Beaumont, Towanda; Robert Grenell, Richmond, VA; and Henry Farley, Sayre.
The family will receive friends Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home 217 York Ave. Towanda, PA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 10 a.m. at SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, Third St. Towanda with Rev. Edward Michelini, pastor, as celebrant. Interment will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, N. Towanda, PA.
Memorial donations can be made in Rita’s memory to SS. Peter and Paul Church, 106 Third St. Towanda, PA 18848. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.
Rita will be long remembered by her family for her many stories and anecdotes about the Bustin family that she loved to share and in doing so preserved the history of the family by passing the stories down.
Rita was predeceased by her father James Francis Bustin, December 17, 1968, her mother Mary Marguerite McKee Bustin, December 3, 1979, very special cousins and lifelong friends Robert J. Bustin, May 16, 2016 and Edward J. Bustin, September 5, 1998.
She is survived by her sister and best friend Mary F. Bustin of Towanda, cousins Margaret Young, Troy; Mary Lou Allen, Athens; Michael Bustin, Lititz, PA,; Nancy Bustin, Towanda; Mary E. O’Hara, Athens; William O’Hara, Sayre; Ellen Molnar, Athens; Patricia Drake, Big Flats, NY; Mary Laura Sturzen, Athens; Susan Giordano, Towanda; Annette Beaumont, Towanda; Robert Grenell, Richmond, VA; and Henry Farley, Sayre.
The family will receive friends Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home 217 York Ave. Towanda, PA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 10 a.m. at SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, Third St. Towanda with Rev. Edward Michelini, pastor, as celebrant. Interment will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, N. Towanda, PA.
Memorial donations can be made in Rita’s memory to SS. Peter and Paul Church, 106 Third St. Towanda, PA 18848. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.
