Rita E. Veach, 97, formerly of Kulpmont, passed away on March 28, 2026, at Homeland Center, Harrisburg. She was born in Shamokin on April 27, 1928, the daughter of the late Washington and Ruth (Ryan) Evans.

On August 20, 1949, she married the late Gus L. Veach in St. Joseph's Church, Shamokin. They shared 65 years of marriage before his passing.

Rita was a lifelong resident of the Kulpmont area and a graduate of Shamokin High School. She worked in the office of Woolworths in Shamokin, was a seamstress for Arrow Shirt Factory, and also was a self-employed maker of window treatments. Rita was a terrific cook. She was happiest with a table full of family enjoying the fruits of her labor. She was known for her delicious homemade Italian wedding soup and ravioli. Her window treatments made homes warmer and her reward was hearing how pleased people were with her work. She loved to dance with her husband, Gus. Rita had a quiet strength that kept her young at heart. She always said, "You are as young as you think you are in your head", and in her head she was forever in her 20s.

Rita was a member of the Church of the Holy Angels, Kulpmont.

Rita is survived by daughters, Patricia (Howard - Deceased) Johnson of Exton, Kathleen Vitacco and Mark Rodriguez of Geneva, IL, and Cynthia (Richard) Varmecky of Harrisburg; seven grandchildren, Joy Dodson, Michael Vitacco III, Meghan (Josh Maldanado) Vitacco, Aaron (Ashley) Johnson, Andrew Johnson, Matthew Varmecky, and Christopher Varmecky; three great-grandchildren, Heath and Lake Dodson and Siena Johnson; and a brother, Kenneth (Marie) Evans of NY; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Rita was preceded in death by two sisters and their spouses, Ruth (Bernard) Romanoski and Mary (Richard) Malick; and three brothers and their spouses, Jack (Vern) Evans, Bill (Josephine) Evans, and Bob (Wanda) Evans.

Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at noon with Father Andrew Stahmer officiating in the Church of the Holy Angels, Kulpmont, PA. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Kulpmont. Viewing will be held on April 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. – 11: 45 a.m. with transferal prayers at 11 a.m. in the C J Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 1053 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Church of the Holy Angels, 855 Scott St., Kulpmont, PA 17834. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com