Rita A Carleski

Rita Ann Carleski (Radecki)

Rita Ann, age 93, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2024. Born in Toledo, OH on September 10, 1930 to parents John and Jane Radecki, Rita attended St. Hedwig School and graduated from Woodward High School in 1948. Rita attended The Ohio State University and married her high school sweetheart, James Carleski, in 1952. In the midst of raising two children and working part time, a determined Rita returned to college and received her degree in elementary education from the University of Toledo in 1962. She subsequently had two more children.

Her teaching career consisted of substitute teaching in Toledo-area parochial and public elementary schools while rearing her children. Her last assignment was tutoring children with learning disabilities at Holland Elementary School in the Springfield School District. She retired from teaching in 1981 because of ill health.

Rita was a member of St. Paschal Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans for 50 years, and a life member of the St. Francis Guild of Sylvania, OH. She loved to sing and was a choir member at St. Vincent DePaul and St. Jude Parishes. She enjoyed playing cards with numerous social groups and friends, and never refused an invitation to play board games.

After her husband retired from Owens-Illinois in 1985, they traveled extensively by car throughout the United States and Canada. She accompanied her brother and sister-in-law on a trip to Hawaii in 1989, and completed the enviable "all 50 states list" in 1999 upon visiting Alaska with her husband.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 71 years, Jim; beloved daughter, Linda Jeanne Carleski; parents, John and Jane Radecki; brother, Edwin Randell; brother-in-law, Robert Carleski; and sisters-in-law, Nelda Reno and Nancy Carleski.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her devoted sister, Sr. Rita Jane Radecki, OSF; sisters-in-law, Rita Louise Carleski, Patricia Carleski and Dolores Randell; sons, David Carleski and Richard (Christina) Carleski; daughter, Diane Goetz; grandchildren who called her "Busia", Jason (Amanda) Carleski, Robert (Cara) Carleski, Katherine Hodulik, and Erika Carleski; step-grandson, Stephen Goetz; great-grandchildren, Lorelei and Joshua Carleski, Amelia and Nadia Carleski; and many loving nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, OH for more than two years of dedicated service, love, and prayers for Rita's well-being.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 3 from 2 - 8 p.m. at Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant St., Maumee, OH. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 4 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Maumee, OH, beginning with a viewing at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Internment will be at Calvary Cemetary, Toledo, OH.

Memorial contributions for Rita may be made to Rosary Care Center, Sylvania, OH, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH or to St. Paschal of Baylon Fraternity, Toledo OH.