Rita Agatha McNellis, 88, Kansas City, MO, passed away peacefully at NorthCare Hospice House surrounded by her family on Thursday afternoon, April 9, 2015. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124, where the Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, April 13, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 5106 St. John Ave., Kansas City, MO 64123. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Holy Cross Parish or NorthCare Hospice.

Rita was born December 14, 1926, to Raymond and Elizabeth North. She was baptized on December 26, 1926, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. This was her parish for 88 years, and she lived within a six-block radius of the church her entire life. Rita graduated from Glennon High School, and was secretary at Holy Cross Parish for many years.

Rita is survived by five of her six children, Patty (Bob Shemwell), Mike (Donna Foster), Edward (Vickie), Vince (Penni), Mary Kay (Bill Sharp); 14 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Patrick, in 2006; her son, Timothy, in 2014; her parents and her siblings.

Thank you to Sherry Baxter and all the hospice nurses for your love and kindness you showed to Rita during her illness.

Rita always smiled when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to visit. She loved to see them.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com.