Rita Ann Vollmer, 86, passed away on May 26, 2025.  Rita was born on September 5, 1938, in Syracuse, New York to Alice (Kennedy) Shanahan and Maurice Shanahan. She was a graduate of Saint John the Evangelist high school and maintained long time relationships with many of the class of 1956 alumni. While raising her five children she attended business school and went on to work at Crouse-Hinds, where she retired in 1996. 

Rita enjoyed gardening, painting, and spending time with family. She was known for writing humorous poems, which she enjoyed sharing with friends and loved ones. She volunteered at Francis House and in several different capacities with Blessed Sacrament Church and School. Vacations were spent many years in Cape Vincent, NY and Clearwater, FL. 

She is pre-deceased by her husband Paul, her parents, her brothers Edward Shanahan and Thomas Shanahan and a sister Mary Shanahan.

Her family includes her sons: Michael (April) Orcutt, Kevin Orcutt, Sean (Jason Bertini) Orcutt; daughters: Nancy (Paul) Mizer, Melinda (Chris) Porto, sister Alice (Gene) Harrington, sister-in-law Maureen Kinane, stepchildren: Paul (Maureen) Vollmer, Linda (Chris) Coolican and Susan (Brian) McGinn; and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A special thank you to the dedicated staff at Syracuse Home for their compassionate care and support during Rita’s time there. 

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 10am in Blessed Sacrament Church.

Online condolences, www.shepardsonfh.com.