RACINE  – Rita Mae (nee: Husnik) Conway, age 81, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family after a long battle with cancer.

Rita was born in St. Paul, MN on January 1, 1932 to the late Peter and Marie (Klein) Husnik.  In 1953 she graduated from nursing school at St. Mary's in Rochester, MN and worked for a doctor prior to meeting the love of her life, John Conway.  They were united in marriage on June 11, 1955.  This union blessed them with 6 children whom she cherished.  Rita devoted her entire life to raising her family.   She resumed her nursing career later in life at Lincoln Convalescent Center in Racine.  She enjoyed caring for others and was loved and respected by her family, colleagues, patients and the random people she struck up conversations with for no reason at all.  She never had a bad word to say about anyone.

Rita will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 58 years, John;  her grateful and blessed children:  AnnMarie Conway Nelson (of Racine), JoEllen (Larry) DeBoer (of Grand Prairie, TX), Nora Conway-Vazquez (of Aurora, IL), Michael Barbieri (Corrine) (of Fort Worth, TX), Thomas (Stacy) Conway (of Milwaukee, WI), and Susan Conway (of Racine); grandchildren:  Jonathan (Cherie) Nelson, David Nelson, Amanda DeBoer, Jeffrey Nelson, John Barbieri, Alyssa (Raymond) Bates, Meaghan Vazquez, Daniel Barbieri, Alena DeBoer, Lauren Barbieri, Matthew Conway; and one great granddaughter:  Addison Bates.  She is also survived by her beloved brother Edward, his wife Genevieve, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, many good friends, and countless lives she touched.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Marie Husnik; her brother Peter, her sister Geraldine, and her daughter Corrine Conway Barbieri.

Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic (6400 Spring St.) on Friday (Tonight) for a visitation from 4-6 pm.  The celebration of her life and funeral Mass will take place at St. Paul the Apostle on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. William Dietzler officiating.  There will also be a visitation in the church on Saturday from 10-11 a.m.  Because of her love of the nursing profession, in lieu of flowers, the family plans to set up a scholarship fund for nursing students at UWM. Checks should be made out to the "Rita Mae Conway Memorial Fund" and mailed to 1901 DeKoven Avenue, Racine, WI 53403

The family of Rita would like to give special thanks for the loving care provided by Dr. Mullane and his staff, Hospice Alliance (especially Becky, her case manager), and to those who showed love and support to our family during this difficult time.