Rita Marie Kochendorfer
August 3, 1938 - January 8, 2024
Rita Marie Kochendorfer, age 85, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Monday, January 8, 2024.
Rita lived a long and colorful life, filled with good times and laughter. She positively impacted all that knew her. Rita will be remembered for her wit and sense of humor which was still there until the end. Her most cherished title was Mom. She was also known lovingly as Mom Mom and Momma K. Special name included Rita the Pita given to her by the love of her life, husband Richard.
Born in Wilmington, DE on August 3, 1938, she was a daughter of the late John and Amalia (Falconi) DiVincenzo. Rita enjoyed her long career as a bookkeeper at Remline Corp. where she spent over 30 years until her retirement in 2014.
In her spare time, Rita loved to crochet or go for walks. A friend to the community, she enjoyed volunteering for the outreach program at Holy Family R.C. Church as well as the Hope Dining Room. Above all, Rita’s most cherished memories were made spending time with her family. Rita was the happiest when children and grandchildren were around. She loved her husband dearly and cherished every moment with him despite the many years of sickness he endured. Rita was an amazing wife to Richard. Also high on her happiness list was a nice two-finger sized glass of red wine.
In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Richard C. Kochendorfer; and siblings, Vincentta Troise, Bernardo DiVincenzo, Armando DiVincenzo, and Madeline DeRocili.
She is survived by her children, Richard Kochendorfer and wife Chrissie, Linda Thompson and husband Marty, and Donna Kochendorfer; grandchildren, Marty Thompson III, Tyler Kochendorfer, Ella Kochendorfer, and Julia Angell; daughter-in-law, Andrea Kochendorfer; great-grandson, Marty Thompson IV; and sisters-in-law, Ruth DiVincenzo and Marianne Prokop and husband Freddy.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9 am until 10 am on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am, following the visitation, at Holy Family R.C. Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita’s memory to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or online by clicking here, or to the Myeloma Foundation, 4400 Coldwater Canyon, Ste. 300, Studio City, CA 91604 or online by clicking here.
Greg Marcozzi
I only knew Rita from our time together at the office, here at Remline. But what a delight she was to all of us. She combined equal parts sweet and ornery in the best possible way. I have many treasured memories of Rita, but the one thing that always comes to mind for me was any time she would bring in a tin of her homemade pizzelles. She always worried over them, whether she had made a good batch or not. I always told that her pizzelles were the best I ever had (and this is coming from a good Italian goomba). I treasure every memory of her, and I am certain she is now in a very good place. To all of her family: I know you will miss her so, so much. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. God has her now, and I’m betting she will be pestering Him to make sure He pours out blessings on all of her loved ones.
Gerry Frey
A beautiful person and a good friend for over 30 years. What a pleasure it was to know Rita.
Margaret Rosado (Maggie)
I am beyond sad to read this that my dear friend of many years has passed onto heaven. I am deeply saddened that i wasnt aware. and very sorry for the loss to Donna, Richard and Linda and all of family. I am sending you all big hugs and love. Rita was such a good friend to Jackie and myself over the years. Our last great memory is when jackie and i took her out to dinner at TGI Fridays over by the University of Delaware. We shared laughs and cries. But all the same a great lasting memory. Love you Rita, Till we meet again.