Mrs. Rita M. Stasaitis, 85, a resident of the Presbyterian Home for CNY in New Hartford, formerly of Knox St., Utica, passed away on Tuesday September 11, 2012 at the nursing home. Rita was born in Utica on March 16, 1927 the daughter of Andrew and Anna (Melnick) Dembowski. She was raised in Utica and Whitesboro and was a graduate of Whitesboro Central School. On September 5, 1949, Rita married Francis B. Stasaitis at Holy Trinity Church in Utica, a devoted union of 48 years, until Francis' death in 1997. Rita was employed with General Electric Company in Utica, later with Community Action in Utica and for 20 years, as credit manager with Pacemaker Millar until her retirement. She was a longtime, active parishioner of the former St. George's Church in Utica and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, VFW post 9591 in Clinton. Mrs. Stasaitis is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Wilma Stasaitis of LaGrangeville, NY; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Anita and Robert Genther of Buskirk, NY, Andrea and Frederick Sadallah of New Hartford and Amy Eghigian of Utica; six cherished grandchildren, Sarah Stasaitis of Long Island, Paul F. Stasaitis and his wife Christine of Poughkeepsie, NY, Amanda Sadallah-Weeks and her husband Ernest of New Hartford, Alyssa Sadallah of New Hartford, Elleanor Eghigian of New Hartford and Eric Eghigian of New Hartford; one sister-in-law, Edwina Dembowski of New Hartford; six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Raymond Dembowski and Donald Dembowski, a step brother, Edward Dembowski Adlar and a brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, James and Regina Stasaitis and Til Stasaitis. Mrs. Stasaitis' funeral Mass of Christian burial will be Celebrated on Thursday September 13, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Blessed Sacrament Parish with Rev. James Cesta officiating. Rita's Rite of Committal and burial will be held in St. George's Cemetery in Whitesboro. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the funeral Mass. Those wishing to make a donation in Rita's name, please consider the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Association.