Rita (Pierini) Breitbart

Rita (Pierini) Breitbart

Cedar Rapids

Rita Breitbart, 86, died peacefully with her family around her at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Hospital on Saturday, Oct. 28. She was born on Dec. 14, 1936, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Clara (Minghetti) Pierini and Frank Pierini.

Rita attended St. Ferdinand Catholic School and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1955. She had many fond memories of her time in school and was a lifelong learner. Rita married Herbert Breitbart in 1961, and they began their family. Rita was initiated into Radha Soami Satsang Beas in 1965 and remained active in her faith until the end of her life.

Over the years she held several jobs, enjoyed volunteering, and was an adventurous traveler. She had diverse interests and a thirst for knowledge. Most notably, she held various positions at First National Bank of Chicago (JP Morgan Chase), taught astrology at Oakton Community College, and served as Treasurer of the Niles Library Board for five years.

Rita was a warm and open-hearted person who was dedicated to her family and her faith. She laughed easily and befriended everyone she met. She encouraged others to follow their own paths in life and lovingly supported their pursuits.

In addition to her parents, Rita was predeceased by her brother John; her sisters Marian (Hank) Wrzesinski, Vera (Al) Stephenson, and Dorothy (Melvin) Erickson; and her beloved daughter Adrienne. Rita is survived by her son Alan and his wife Melissa (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), her son John and his partner Karen Shallcross (Fort Worth, Texas), her son-in-law Kyle Sowatzke (Round Lake Beach, Ill.), her grandchildren Jay Snowden and James and Mia Breitbart, and her great-grandchild DJ Snowden, as well as many much-loved nieces and nephews.

There will be two celebrations of life. Please attend the one that is most convenient for you. The first will be held between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, in the Social Hall at All Saints Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.

The second will be held in the Chicago area on Nov. 11. Place and time TBD.