Rita Joanne Resling of Hampton Bays died in Titusville, Florida, on July 6, 2017, of cancer. She was 72.
Born September 10, 1944, to John Loetscher Sr. and Meta Schrader, she was a resident of Hampton Bays. She earned a degree in special education and went on to teach students with special needs in the BOCES programs. She eventually changed her career path and worked in accounting with the Coast Guard Exchange Services at Station Shinnecock in Hampton Bays and was promoted to store manager a few years later. Her personality and managerial skills were recognized by the Commanders of the l06th Air Wing at Gabreski Field, which created a base exchange program that she helped design and manage until her retirement in 2004.
In her retirement she pursued a passion for bowling and traveled around the U.S. to participate in national tournaments. She had memberships in the United States Bowling Congress, the Women’s International Bowling Council and the United States Women’s Bowling Association.
Her hobbies were many and included driving her camper up and down the East Coast and across the country. She loved attending NASCAR races and antique car shows. She enjoyed hot air ballooning and she also took up skydiving at age 70, jumping with her son Hank by her side. She also loved going to the inlet to take in the smell of the salt air and to watch her son Jeff fish.
Ms. Resling also found time to volunteer. For her volunteer efforts she was made an honorary chief in the Chief Petty Officers Association and she flew with veterans on Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. Survivors said she was always there with a smile and a helping hand, and she will be remembered for her love of adventure, her love of ceramic frogs and her love for her family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, John Loetscher Jr.; and a sister, Rosemary Schofield. She is survived by two sons, Hank Resling Jr. of New Hampshire and Jeff Resling of Riverhead; two brothers, Bob Loetscher and Rich Loetscher; a sister, Janet Weggeland; two grandsons, Dagan and Parker; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting is at the R.J. O’Shea Funeral Home in Hampton Bays on Friday, July 21, from 4 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, July 22, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., with a burial procession to Good Ground Cemetery starting at 10:45 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Edward M. Poe Hospice Care Center, 1240 Grissom Parkway, Titusville, FL 32780.
on Jul 17, 2017