Rita Mary Bartlett DeLane, 78, of LaPlata, MD passed away on January 17, 2022 in Naples, FL surrounded by her family.
Born in Washington, DC on April 29, 1943 to the late Leroy and Catherine Bartlett, she is also predeceased by her sister, Catherine “Jean” Upright and her brother, William Bartlett. Rita is survived by her loving husband, Matthew Patrick DeLane; sons, Michael DeLane, Stephen DeLane (Michelle) and David DeLane (Lesley); daughter, Kathleen Caywood (Billy); brother, James Bartlett; nine grandchildren, Katie DeLane, Melissa Neuman (Skye), David DeLane, Corey Caywood (Brittany), Ashley Caywood, Alex DeLane, Kylee DeLane, Zachary DeLane and Kendall DeLane; and six great-grandchildren, Josie Stroman, Caje Stroman, Indie DeLane, Kai Neumann, Kenna Caywood and Sybil Burt; and many nieces and nephews, whom she adored.
Rita enjoyed traveling, camping, and spending time with family and the many friends she made over the years. She cherished the lifelong friends she grew up with in Southeast DC, those she raised her children with in Clinton, MD and those she met while vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC and Naples, FL. Her biggest impact may have been as a true caregiver for the many children of the family that she nurtured and embraced as her own. Her greatest joy, by far, was being a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Rita’s smile, love, and her enthusiasm for life will be forever cherished and missed by all who knew her.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 27th from 2PM to 4PM and from 6PM to 8PM (with Prayers at 7PM) at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, PA (211 St. Mary’s Ave., LaPlata, MD). A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 28th at 10AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (201 St. Mary’s Ave., LaPlata, MD); Interment to follow in the Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita’s memory to the St. Jude Children Research Hospital, the American Heart Association, or the Humane Society of Charles County. Online condolences may be shared at arehartechols.com.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Rita Bartlett DeLane, please visit our floral store.