It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rita Wahleithner Gillen Sewell on November 14, 2024 at the age of 85. Rita was born on February 23, 1939 in White Lake, WI to Fred and Florence (neé Powers) Wahleithner.
Rita, a three-time homecoming princess, graduated 8th in her class from Kelso High School in Kelso, Washington. She put herself through Washington State University and became a high school biology teacher before marrying James R. Gillen in 1963 and becoming a stay at home mother settling in Mendham, NJ in 1973 after living in Boston, NYC and Allendale, NJ. Rita loved music, reading, and gardening and was an accomplished seamstress. She also volunteered as a candy-striper at Morristown Memorial Hospital and for Meals on Wheels. Rita earned a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University and became a counselor helping people with drug and alcohol addiction.
In 1998 Rita married George M. Sewell and moved to Aiken, SC where she and George lived a fun and adventurous life skiing, riding horses, sailing, playing golf, hosting parties and flying around the country in their single engine plane.
Rita was preceded in death by her mother and father, Fred and Florence Wahleithner and her husband George M. Sewell.
She is survived by her daughters, Jennifer Scacheri, Nancy Difazio, and Paula Martin; her sons-in-law, Robert Scacheri, Matthew Difazio, and Shawn Martin; her grandchildren, Quin Scacheri (Jenna), Max Difazio, Sophie Difazio, Serena Martin, Eli Martin, and Adrian Martin; her step-sons, George Sewell (Janet) and Alan Sewell (Nancy) her step-daughter Karen Sewell Brown; her first husband James Gillen; her sisters, Phyllis Stecker and Agnes Simmons; her brother-in-law, Ron Stecker; her dear friend Gangadhara “Kash” Kasinath, and many beloved nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and friends.
A memorial service for Rita will be held on Dec. 14, 2024 at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike Wilmington 19803. Visitation from 10-11 am. with a service to follow at 11am. Services will be livestreamed here: my.gather.app/remember/rita-sewell. Burial will be private.
For online condolences please visit: mccreryandharra.com
