Helen Rita (Francis) Ziomek

Helen Rita Ziomek, 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November, 12, 2017, surrounded by family.  Born October 22, 1938, in Dorchester, Massachusetts; the daughter of Joseph and Helen Francis. She graduated from the Boston City Hospital School of Nursing and married Joseph V. Ziomek Jr. in 1960.  Rita moved to Dover with her family in 1964 when Joe accepted a job at General Foods.

Rita was the devoted mother of five children.  She enjoyed bowling and tennis and was always active. She returned to work in 1975 as an Occupational Nurse at General Foods and retired in 2000. She never lost her Boston roots; staying in touch with family and friends from high school and college.  She was a dedicated Boston sports fan.

Faith, family and friends were the most important things in life.  She attended daily mass for years after retirement.  She gathered her family together monthly to celebrate birthdays and holidays. She attended many of her granchildren’s sporting events and concerts. The highlight of the year was our annual family vacation in Rehoboth where she was surrounded by all of her children and grandchildren. The beach was her favorite place.  Rita was also an avid traveler.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Joseph V. Ziomek Jr.; her children Paula Marsilii, Terri Zastko (Mike), Pati Falgowski (Michael), Joseph M. Ziomek (Debbie) and Karen Kaczmarczyk (Eric), as well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Rita is also survived by her sister, Mary Walsh (Tom); her brothers, John Francis (Barbara), Paul Francis (Kay), and Leo Francis (Barbara), as well as 31 nieces and nephews who all loved their Aunt Rita.  She is predeceased by her sister, Ellen Connors and brother, William Francis; her son-in-law Paul Marsilii.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, from 4:00-7:00PM at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE  19808.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at 11:00AM at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 2431 Frazer Road, Newark, DE 19702. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, Jeanne Jugan Residence, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE  19713.

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