Rita Susan Clendenin-Bey

Rita Susan Clendenin-Bey
(1957-2024)

We are heartbroken by the loss of our beloved sister, Rita Clendenin-Bey, on August 18, 2024 in Washington, Pennsylvania. Rita was 67 years old and lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after living for many years in the Bronx, NY. She finally left us after she grappled long and hard with many illnesses. Her life was marked by both ardor and devotion.

Born on June 21, 1957, in Queens County, NY, she is the daughter of the late Aage B. Clendenin and Liselotte Clendenin, and sister of the late Aage H. Clendenin. Rita is survived by her siblings: brother Johann (John) Clendenin, his wife Bonnie, their children Trevor, Stacy, and J. Ryan; sister Linda Curtis-Bey, her children Sarah, William, and Elizabeth; sister Sonja Webber-Bey, her husband Lloyd, their children Deimosa, Neota, Serena, Amanda, Marissa, and DeCosta; sister Vera Grant, her daughter Lisa; brother Walter Clendenin-Bey, his wife Tasha, his children Sylvia, Marcus, Nayelle, Natalege, and Nadia; brother James Clendenin, his wife Sangeetha (Sam), their son Tyler; and her lifelong friends.

Living first in Amityville, NY, and then in South Ozone Park, NY, Rita was only 7 years old, when the family finally settled in St. Albans, NY, where she finished growing up. As a youth, Rita was a daring majorette who performed in local parades; a joyous roller skater; an avid 10 speed bike rider; a competitive bowler; and a locally known skilled neighborhood basketball player -which was highly unusual for young women in her day.

Raised in the Episcopalian church, it was soon discovered that Rita had a beautiful voice. She became sought after by church choirs and in her late teenage years she performed with one at Carnegie Hall. She played the piano and trumpet over the years too! Rita generally revealed her musically inclined and gentle soul to only a few close companions.

In high school, Rita was in the first class of women graduates at Brooklyn Technical High School -a previously all male institution. In addition to her studies, she played on the basketball and volleyball teams. Afterwards, she attended the State University of New York (SUNY) College in Fredonia, New York. She then initially worked as a technician at IBM in New York City.

It seemed a joy and worklife highlight for Rita, when she joined the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York. She worked for many years as a New York City bus driver before an unfortunate mechanical accident ended her career with them and also seriously impaired her health. She had won several driving competitions while at the company and union: the MTA Bus Roadeo, the NYC Bus Transit Roadeo, and the ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) International Bus Roadeo, competitions held annually for transit bus drivers to promote safe driving practices, reward skilled drivers, and foster a sense of community among City bus drivers.

Semi-retired, Rita became a skilled wood and metal worker with a small machine “shop area” along with an elaborate tools setup found unexpectedly within her residential apartments. Rita enjoyed working with tools and she assembled many intricate and intriguing projects. She was also a knowledgeable early personal computer enthusiast with a sought after repair-savvy reputation.

Rita proudly led a LGBTQ+ life and enjoyed a few special long term partnerships, although she never married. For a while, she was a practicing member of the Moorish Science Temple of America, and attended the Brooklyn Temple #21 for several years.

In later years, Rita became a constant companion to her mother, who had retired in Florida. They would take frequent road trips together throughout the Northeast states and also into the Midwest, visiting caverns, mines, and state parks. They also traveled together to California, Hawaii and also to Germany.

Rita eventually settled into an enjoyable and peaceful life in the Hill district of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She found Pittsburgh an intriguing sports vibrant city with a feisty yet deeply loyal blue-collar reputation that matched her own personal style. Rita also received significant and appreciated support for her ongoing illnesses there. Within her health assisted community, she enjoyed an active social life: she joined a bowling league, and was an exuberant cheerleader for her softball team. Always a sports enthusiast (she was a keen Bronx Bombers Yankees Fan), Rita eagerly, and demonstrably, supported the professional Pittsburgh football, baseball, and hockey teams -the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins- and also, the Pittsburgh Panthers NCAA basketball team.

A number of serious illnesses challenged Rita’s last five years of life. Known for both her fierce loyalties and surprisingly sweet generosity she was truly a vibrant, multi-faceted life force. She will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and her care team and care help community who faithfully attended her during Rita’s Pittsburgh years.

A private family celebration of life and remembrance will be held in New York City on September 7, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita’s name to the Women’s Sports Foundation: Women’s Sports Foundation Donation or donations may be made to The New York Skyriders:Skyriders Donation