Mary Rita (Qualio) Page

Mary Rita (Qualio) Page, 75, passed away at home on June 22, 2022.

Rita was born on August 14, 1946 in Peru, Indiana to Frank F. Qualio and Mary J. (Reed) Qualio. She graduated from Peru High School.

During high school, she was active in the Peru Amateur Circus, loved riding around on her little motorcycle, and also worked at Hank’s Supermarket. It was there, two years after graduation, that she was introduced to her future husband by her future father in law.  As soon as they met, she knew he was the one. Six months later, on January 27, 1967, Bill and Rita were married by Father Sego at St. Charles Catholic Borromeo Church in Peru, Indiana. They were happily married for 49 years until William’s passing. Together they raised three daughters.

Rita was a nurse’s aide at Miller’s Merry Manor and Dukes Hospital in Peru for over twenty five years. She enjoyed working with the elderly.    

Rita loved crafts of all kinds. She was always knitting or crocheting an afghan, especially with roses. There was always a ceramic statue that needed to be painted. Her favorites were Pinky and Blueboy, her circus elephant, and the many steins that she created. She could sit and do latch hook projects all day. Rita loved making homemade Easter baskets and bunny cakes every year.    

For years, Bill and Rita would travel around Indiana together to various pistol matches and compete for trophies. Rita was proud that she would always place and come home with another trophy to add to her collection. She proudly displayed them on shelves next to all of the ones that Bill had won.

Her favorite vacation places were Holiday World and Michigan. Rita loved walking around Holiday World videotaping her family having fun whether it was on the rides or having fun celebrating Fourth of July there with fireworks. She would love to pull out tapes and rewatch all the memories made over the years. It was nothing for her and Bill to wake up one morning and spontaneously drive up to South Haven, Holland, or even Mackinaw City, having lunch at a Big Boy on the way, drive around, sight see, spend a few nights, and come home. 

Her biggest love in life was her husband of 49 years, her daughters, and grandchildren. They were her pride and joy. If you stopped to talk to her, she would tell you about their travels, activities, and or show you one of many bags and bracelets that she always wanted from wherever they traveled to. There was a story behind each memory that she loved to recount. She was also her family’s personal prayer warrior. She believed in the power of prayer and helping others with it.

Rita is survived by her three daughters, Mary Page, Candi Page, Barb (Brian) Hall, and two grandchildren, Alexis Hall and Clayton Hall. She is also survived by her sister, Frances Qualio, brother in laws Richard Page and Dewey Green as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, William Page, her parents, Frank and Mary Qualio, two sisters, Rosemarie Qualio and Catherine Qualio, and two sister in laws, Sherrill Green and Martha Page.

Family and friends may call from 3pm to 4pm on Monday, June 27, 2022 at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana.  Funeral service will follow at 4pm with Pastor: Rick Tolley officiating. Burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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