Rita Schmell

Rita (Fistner) Schmell, 79, of Bethlehem died unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at St. Lukes Hospital, Fountain Hill. She was married to Robert L. Schmell with whom she celebrated 55 years this past April. She was born in Bethlehem on June 4, 1943 to the late Charles Fistner and Marie (Madl) Zartler.

Rita dedicated her life to raising her family. While raising her children, she volunteered for many organizations including serving as PTA president. Rita was a member or Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Bethlehem Township. She was an avid sewer and quilter. She belonged to Lehigh Valley Couturiere Society and the Colonial Quilters Guild where she served in leadership positions. Rita was a type one diabetic who survived the disease for over 60 years of her life. She was an animal lover, especially her dogs.

She enjoyed her trips to their Delaware Beach Home with her family. But the one thing she truly enjoyed was the time she spent with her grandson Mason.

Rita will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Robert “Bob”, son, Robert C. Schmell and wife, Lauri A. Passeri, daughter, Christine Schmell, and her grandson, Mason Wills. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Herbert Zartler and sister, Susan E. Carl.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem from 6-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 3219 Santee Rd., Bethlehem at 11 AM. Burial will be at Holy Savior Cemetery in Bethlehem.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ritas name to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

Cemetery
Holy Saviour Cemetery
2575 Linden Street
Bethlehem PA 18017
US

Viewing
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 E. Broad St.
Behtlehem PA 18018
US

Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
11:00 AM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
3219 Santee Rd
Bethlehem PA 18020
US

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