Rita (Raiola) Ward, 88, of Town of Ulster

TOWN OF ULSTER >> Rita (Raiola) Ward, 88, of Ulster Gardens Court, Town of Ulster, passed away while in the comforting presence of her family on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at HealthAlliance Hospital, Broadway Campus.

She was born in Middletown, N.Y., on March 31, 1930; a daughter of the late Thomas A. and Emma (Caskey) Raiola. She was the wife of William F. Ward, who died Dec. 16, 2002.

Rita was a Union Business Agent for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America AFL-CIO for over 17 years, and also worked in the City of Kingston Human Rights Office in 1975.

She is survived by two sons, Lionel T. Heddy and his wife Vangie of Naples, Fla., and Endel Ward and his wife Sally of Lake Katrine; daughter, June Leibowits; two grandchildren, Jacqueline Luciano and Colin Ward; and three great-grandchildren, Sydney, Sierra, and Spencer Luciano.

In addition to her husband William, she is also predeceased by a grandson, Kris Heddy; three brothers, Ronald, Raymond, and Charles; and two sisters, Mary Louise Evans and Thelma Depew.

The family has entrusted the Gilpatric-VanVliet Funeral Home, 339 Broadway, Ulster Park, Town of Esopus, with the care and cremation service arrangements for Rita.

Cremation at Wiltwyck Crematory. A graveside service, followed by inurnment of both Rita and her late husband Bill, will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, at St. Peters Cemetery, Kingston.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Rita and Bill’s memory to: JoyceSchirick VFW Post 1386, PO Box 1711, Kingston, N.Y., 12402.

Send the family an expression of condolence by visiting Rita’s Book of Memories: www.GVVFH. com