Rita Gail (Carlisle) Casazza

Rita Gail Casazza, loving wife and mother, passed away at the age of 66 on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

Rita was born to Richard and Joy Carlisle on May 5, 1953, in Flint, Michigan. After graduating from Choctawhatchee high school she went on to study computer science at Middle Tennessee State University through the ROTC program. Rita achieved the rank of Major in the U.S. Army Reserve and was a decorated member of national championship winning U.S. Army rifle teams where she met her husband, Richard Casazza, in 1976. 

After fulfilling her active duty ROTC obligation she transferred to the Army Reserve and became a Federal Civil Service employee working primarily with the Department of Commerce in the Office of the CIO of Commerce.

She married Richard Casazza in 1979, and they lived together in Laurel, MD for 41 years. Rita is survived by her husband, Richard Casazza, daughter, Kelly Casazza, father Richard Carlisle, brother, Richard Carlisle II, sister, Cynthia Kayyod; and several nieces and nephews.

Rita loved her family and dedicated her life to being a wonderful mother and wife. In addition, Rita had a passion for reading, cooking and was known for her kind, caring and generous spirit. After being blessed with a wonderful daughter in 1988, she and her husband have spent the ensuing years bestowing all their love on her and taking immense pride in her life and accomplishments.

Rita’s memory will forever be cherished by her family and friends. We will miss her greatly.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 10:00am at St. Mary of the Mills located at 114 St. Mary’s Place, Laurel, MD with burial to follow thereafter. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to either Feeding America via their website or the Ladies of Charity of St. Mary of the Mills Parish by sending a check made out to them to 114 St. Mary’s Place, Laurel, MD 20707.

A light has gone out of our life, a voice we loved is stilled,

A place is empty by our hearth, that never can be filled.

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