Rita M. (Popkowski) Piccirilli

Just five days after celebrating her 85th birthday, Rita M. Piccirilli, of Exeter, passed away peacefully Friday at Highland Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, Exeter, with family by her side.   

Born in Plymouth, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Margaret Barton Popkowski. 

A 1958 graduate of Plymouth High School, she attended Empire Beauty School in Wilkes-Barre and then worked as a beautician until 2001 at Gene's Beauty Shop in Plymouth (taking a leave to concentrate on her cherished family).

She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Joseph (Peachy) Piccirilli in 2015, and her brother, Eugene Popkowski in 2002. 

Surviving are her children: Stanley and his wife Elizabeth, West Wyoming, and Rhea and her husband William Schutter, Harding.  Rita also leaves behind her Grandchildren, whom she adored:  Joseph William Piccirilli and Cole and Dane Schutter, one niece and two nephews.

Rita was also a very happy dog mom and made sure all her pets (including pomeranians Rascal and Bailey) received plenty of attention and many daily walks up and down Wyoming Avenue. 

Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial visitation on Thursday from 9 to 10am at Corpus Christi Parish in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 224 Memorial St., Exeter. 

A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10am with the Rev. Michael Drevitch, assistant pastor as celebrant.

Interment with Rite of Committal will then follow at Mount Olivet Roman Catholic Cemetery, Carverton. 

Arrangements are in the care and direction of Gubbiotti Funeral Home, LLC, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter. 

The family would like to acknowledge the excellent care and warmth given to Rita at Highland Manor over the past few years.

To send the family an expression of sympathy or an online condolence, please visit www.gubbiottifh.com

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