Rita B. Emigh, 62, of Vandergrift, passed away on Friday, June 18, 2021. An Armstrong County native, Ms. Emigh was born September 25, 1958, in Cambridgeshire, England, at the Wimpole Park Military Hospital, the daughter of the late Franklin D. Emigh Sr. and the late Vivian Edna (Bowser) Emigh. She was a 1976 graduate of Kittanning High School. She worked as a nurse's aide in ACMH for a couple of years before moving to California and working in the rice fields for 10 years. Upon learning of her pregnancy, Ms. Emigh returned to her roots so that her child would be raised amongst her extended family. Ms.Emigh then obtained an associate's degree of nursing from Butler County Community College. She was employed for nine years at Harmarville Rehabilitation Center before working as a visiting nurse through Butler VNA and then Vandergrift VNA. She was a well-respected and compassionate nurse, often requested by patients. Ms. Emigh was a gifted artist and poet. She enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping with her ex-husband and forever friend, David Coleman. She savored hosting cookouts with family and friends. SHe was free-spirited, a lover of music, nature, and all things great and small, her greatest love and joy being her daughter, Brooke. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a nephew, with whom she felt close. Her survivors include her daughter, Brooke Altyn Emigh, of Vandergrift; her brothers, Franklin D. (Jackie) Emigh, of Worthington, and Randall J. (Rebecca) Emigh, of Texas; her sister Ruth Emigh (Keith) Schrecongost, of Kittanning; and several nephews and nieces. Per Rita's wishes and Brooke's request, family and friends are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and favorite drinks, and join together for a celebration of life memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Ingram Field, 448 Troy Hill Road, Kittanning, with cousin Justin T. Bowser officiating. A picnic will immediately follow.
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