Rita Hessidence Hornlein Ratti

Rita Hessidence Hornlein Ratti of Ohio Twp., PA went home to Jesus January 29, 2021. She was born in Rittman, OH to the late Roger and Evelyn Bauman Hessidence on November 8, 1947. She was the wife of Mark Ratti Sr and the late Robert Hornlein. Rita is survived by her sisters Jan Beeman (Paul Burstadt), Mary Hessidence and Joan Hessidence (Rick Wall).

Rita attended Purdue University and was a proud member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.  She graduated from Purdue with a bachelor’s degree and soon began a 35-year career as a Speech Language Pathologist with the Stamford, CT Public Schools.  While working, Rita also earned Masters’ degrees from Columbia University and Southern Connecticut State University.

Rita loved singing (her mom said she sang before talking) and was a beloved choir member at both Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, CT and Christ Church at Grove Farm in Ohio Twp., PA up until she began her treatment for cancer.

She made friends easily with her infectious smile. She will be missed by all her friends, regardless of the length of time she knew them.

Rita was a world traveler and her travels included mission trips to both Haiti and Kenya. She supported many Christian ministries with her generosity. She loved sailing the Long Island Sound with her late husband Robert. Rita loved Jesus and lived by the words of St. Francis “preach the gospel every day and if necessary, use words”.  Rita put her beliefs into action by completing one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education in 2006 and the requirements to become a Stephen Minister in 2007.

The family would like to thank Good Samaritan Hospice of Wexford, PA for the loving care they gave to Rita over the last 6 weeks.  A memorial service will be held at Christ Church at Grove Farm in Ohio Twp., PA on February 20 at 10 am.  Memorials will also be planned for Darien, CT, and Rittman, OH at some point in the future.  Rita will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery alongside her late husband Robert Hornlein.

In lieu of cards or flowers Rita requested donations bemade to Nambale Magnet school in Kenya. Checks should be made out to WIKS-USA , P.O. Box 200413, New Haven, CT 06520.