Rita Margaret D'Anthony

With profound sadness we announce the passing of our loving and devoted mother, Rita Margaret D’Anthony, on June 2, 2024.  She passed away peacefully, and was surrounded by family.

Born in Neptune, New Jersey to Salvatore and Esther (Scott) Spampanato on June 27, 1936.  Rita grew up by the Jersey Shore and was one of five children.

She met her loving husband Stephen D’Anthony, at work, and they quickly fell in love.  They were married at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on February 12, 1961.  They went on to have two children, her son Stephen D’Anthony and her daughter Suzanne (D’Anthony) Robles.  They moved across the country to California in 1970.  They traveled in a small car, a VW Bug, with their two young children, and whatever belongings would fit.  It was a 3 week adventure.  Rita tearfully left her whole family behind to follow her husband’s dream of a life on the west coast.   A difficult decision and a big change but Rita settled in and made a home for her family.  

Rita is a grandmother to Christopher Robles, Nicholas Robles and Jessica (Robles) Lee.  And she is a loving Nanner to three beautiful great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her loving husband Stephen D’Anthony, and brother Danny Spampanato. and is survived by her sister Mary (Spampanato) Spano, brother Gavino Spampanato and sister Anna (Spampanato) Cosenza.

Rita and Steve moved to Crestline, California in 1985 and enjoyed living in the beautiful setting of the San Bernardino Mountains.  Rita loved being around her family, and showed her love by preparing delicious meals.   Ask anyone who has tasted her meatballs, they are the best!  She loved working for the school district as a lunch lady and did not retire until she was 80 years old.  She also loved attending church and bible study.   She was always warm and welcoming to all who met her and anyone who came to her house became family.  She would tell visitors; “our door is always open, don’t be a stranger”.  

We will miss her forever but this is not goodbye, we will see her again someday.   She is home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and is now reunited with her loving husband.

A Celebration of Rita’s life will be held at Emerson Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 703 Brookside Ave, Redlands, Ca. on Friday June 7th beginning at 1pm.  

If you wish to send flowers there is a local florist for your convenience.   Hockridge Florist (909)793-1331 or (909)214-8540 (mobile) in Redlands.