Rita M. Giesey

 Rita Mae (Vete) Giesey , on December 12, 2024, of Ligonier (Pennsylvania) peacefully passed away at the alleged age of 88 despite insisting that was inaccurate.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents Francis and Catherine (Karmanzyske) Vete of Pittsburgh and her beloved husband Merle R. Giesey of Ligonier. She was devoted to her children, Merle D. (Susanna) Giesey and Kathleen Giesey, who were with her when she passed. Rita also surrounded herself with wonderful friends who she cherished and thought of as family, some of whom have preceded her in death. She also loved her grand fur babies.

Rita owned a craft store, wove wheat, and was a paralegal. She enjoyed doing research, especially on history. She loved being the secretary for the Ligonier Borough Police Department under the late Chief Randy Cox. But to her very core, Rita was a reporter. She was best known for writing the Valley Views column in the Latrobe Bulletin. She had an unquenchable curiosity and a gift for finding stories to report on which led her to have some incredible experiences.

Her children and friends loved her and her brilliant deadpan sense of humor. She loved making people laugh often sharing stories of her crazy antics (such as her ability to flambé foods that were not meant to be flambéed).

Her family is thankful to Becky and the staff at Life’s Promise for the wonderful care that they gave her in her last year. Rita’s family is honoring her wish to not have any services. If you want to donate in her memory, please do so to either the Ligonier Volunteer Fire Company or the Ligonier Valley Library.

Like the setting sun, while she has disappeared from our view, Rita is now shining brightly on the other side and asking the angels a million questions.

Online condolences may be made to www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com.