Rita F. Diefenderfer

Rita F. Diefenderfer, 74, of Bethlehem, PA passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at St. Lukes Hospice House in Bethlehem. She was born in Bethlehem, the daughter of the late Charles and Bertha (Trabel) Braxmeier. She was the wife of Danny Diefenderfer with whom she celebrated 51 years of marriage this past June. Rita dedicated her life to children as a mother, grandmother, and an educator of 28 years. She retired from Moore Elementary School in 2005. She graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School, Kutztown University, and Lehigh University where she received her M.Ed. Rita was an avid reader, quilter, baker, puzzler, and card player. She put her Catholic faith into practice daily, and she was an active member of St. Ursulas Catholic Church in Fountain Hill and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Bethlehem Twp.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Danny; children, Tara (m. Maurice) Fitzgerald, Lara (m.Robert) Wulff, Sara (m. Shawn) Crews, Christy (m. Susan Topping) Diefenderfer, and Daniel (m. Casey) Diefenderfer; brother, James Braxmeier; sisters, Maryanna Weinhoffer and Margaret Gerlach; and grandchildren, Hannah, Halle, Evan, Caroline, Tyler, Leah, Asa, and Naomi. She was predeceased her by siblings Charles Jr., Philip, Edward, and Bertha Corby.

A viewing will be held from 6-8pm Thursday, February 13, 2020 at the Connell Funeral Home 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A calling hour will be held from 10-11am Friday February, 14, 2020 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 3219 Santee Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18020 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 11am. Inurnment will be at Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Childrens Hospital 332 N. Lauderdale St. Memphis, TN 38105 or Cay Galgon Life House (Marys Shelter), 714 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018

Viewing
Thursday, February 13, 2020
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Calling Hours
Friday, February 14, 2020
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
3219 Santee Rd
Bethlehem PA 18020
US
(610) 867-8409

Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, February 14, 2020
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
3219 Santee Road
Bethlehem PA 18020
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531