Jun 9, 2002 2 min read

Rita Evelyn Smith Coligan, 82, a longtime resident of Dunbar Township, Fayette County, Pa., died Friday, June 7, 2002, at her home. She was born March 13, 1920, in Indian Creek, Springfield Township, Fayette County, Pa., daughter of Walter Smith and Lucy Cole Smith.

Rita was a loving Homemaker, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother of her family.

She was a very active member of St. Vincent De Paul Roman Catholic Church in Leisenring.

She is survived by six sons: Wilfred Kris Coligan and his wife, Margaret, of Lanham, Maryland, Howard “Casey” Coligan and his wife, Nora, and Benjamin Coligan and his wife, Sandy, all of Houston, Texas, William Coligan of Annapolis, Maryland, Gregory Coligan and his wife, Cindy, of York, Pa., and Scott Coligan of Dunbar Township; five daughters: Rita Coligan of Dunbar Township, Anna Lou Smith and her husband, James, of Connellsville, Pa., Rose Helbus and her husband, Vic, of York, Pa., Margaret “Peggy” Coligan of Connellsville, and Betty Jane “Boopsie” Coligan of College Park, Maryland; 31 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Diane Coligan of Connellsville.

Rita was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her husband, James “Red” Coligan, two sons, Bruce and John Coligan, three brothers, Howard “Pete” Smith, Walter “Bun” Smith, James Smith, three sisters, Genevieve “Tootie” Staszel, Eleanor Maust, Ruth Guynn, and her parents.

Family and Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 East Green Street, Connellsville, Pa., today from 6 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. where a Blessing Service will be held Tuesday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m.

A Funeral Mass follows at 11 a.m. in St. Vincent De Paul Roman Catholic Church, Leisenring, with Rev. Fr. John A. Butler as Celebrant.

A Committal Service and interment will follow in St. Vincent De Paul Cemetery.

Wake Service will be held in the Funeral Home on Monday at 4 p.m.