Obituary of Rita M. Morris

Rita Morris, 64, died on September 5th, 2018 after a year-long illness with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Clive, her daughter Frances, her son James, all from Vestal, NY, and her two sisters, Carol Chapman from Wakefield, England, and Selene O'Donnell from Birmingham, England. Rita is predeceased by her parents Brendan O'Donnell from Co. Sligo and Mary Ward from Co. Cavan in Ireland. Rita was born and raised in Birmingham, England, and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Leeds University. Rita worked in systems/software engineering, first at Lucas in Birmingham, England, and then at Lockheed Martin, Johnson City, NY after immigrating to Vestal, NY in 1984. Retiring early to raise her children, Rita launched a second career doing volunteer work: she helped lead cub scouts, served as PTA treasurer for Vestal Hills Elementary, helped organize Red Cross blood drives at Vestal High School, and taught religious education at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Rita truly loved all things that grow, and in addition to her garden at home, she planted community flower gardens at Vestal Hills Elementary and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Rita loved painting rocks, she enjoyed being a travel hockey/lacrosse-mom, and she recently found peace and relaxation in yoga, tai chi classes, and the Binghamton Zen Buddhist meditation group. Funeral Services will be held at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Sunday, September 23rd, 2018 at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the McCormack Funeral Home, Sunday, September 23rd, 2018 from 12 noon until 2 p.m. Donations may be made in Rita's memory to Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments (VINES) <vinesgardens.org>.