Rita M. McIlfatrick

Rita Marie Polidore McIlfatrick passed away peacefully on May 27, 2022,  at the age of 97, with son Robert and daughter-in-law Marguerite by her side.

Rita was born March 4, 1925, to the late Nicola and Lucia Polidore. She was predeceased by siblings Mary Barone and John Polidore. Her dear husband of 59 years, William John McIlfatrick III (Jack), passed away on January 4, 2009. Jack and Rita were interred together at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, PA on June 7, 2022.

Rita is also survived by her sister Gizella Polidore, daughter Elizabeth (Thomas) Schellinger and grandsons Nicholas Delgrego and Kaes (Danielle) Delgrego, and great-granddaughters Elizabeth and Penelope. She is also survived by Tom’s daughters Tracy (Joseph, children Joseph and Jordan) and Jill (Al, daughters Alivia and Ava).

At Prospect Park High School, Class of 1943, she was featured as “Flash Polidore” in the school yearbook for her ability to type 101 words per minute on a manual typewriter without error. Rita applied her exceptional business administration skills as the office manager for the J.B. Eurell Company in Morton, PA for 20 years.

Rita spent most of her life in Delaware County, living in Prospect Park, Glenolden, and Secane. For the last eight and a half years she resided at United Methodist Communities at The Shores in Ocean City, NJ. The family would like to acknowledge their remarkable staff and thank them for their exceptional kindness, especially Anna Nicosia and Dr. Nick Palladino.

Rita was a big fan of Frank Sinatra, Russell Crowe, and Chase Utley. She enjoyed playing pinochle and gin rummy, reading the Philadelphia Inquirer, and doing daily crossword puzzles. Rita loved animals, especially cats. To celebrate Rita’s life, try to do as she often reminded us – “Enjoy every minute”.

Contributions in Rita’s memory may be made to The Humane Society of Ocean City, PO Box 1254, Ocean City NJ 08226.