Teresa A. (Nita) Ricotta

September 22, 1932 - December 27, 2022

Teresa A. (Nita) Ricotta, age 90, passed away peacefully in her home after a long illness. She was born in Kilrush, County Clare into the loving family of Tony and Tess Dunleavy. She came to San Francisco in 1957 and ultimately settled in South San Francisco near her siblings and their families. Nita had a long career at Metropolitan Life Insurance where she met a charming insurance salesman from San Diego, Sam Ricotta. Nita and Sam were true soulmates and shared an exceptionally loving marriage until Sam’s passing in 1990. Nita was the loving sister of Helen Young and Peg Collins and the late Patrick, Michael and May Dunleavy. She is survived by Sam’s daughters Anne Clynes and Ramona Lazar, her sister-in-law Phyllis Dunleavy, and many devoted nieces and nephews and their families. Nita lived life with exuberance and spontaneity. She was very fun loving, taking family and friends on trips to Graton, shopping at the Gilroy outlets or planning the next big trip. She kept in touch with a wide circle of friends around the country and in Ireland. The four Dunleavy sisters May, Nita, Helen and Peg had an especially close relationship, and visited each other daily to share the news of the day, moral support, comfort in infirmity and a glass of chardonnay. Nita’s Catholic faith was essential to her life. She was an active member of St. Veronica Church, serving as Eucharistic Minister, leading the Bereavement Group, and attending daily Mass for years. She was a volunteer for many years at Catholic Worker House in San Bruno. She developed close friendships with the clergy, opening her home for a meal and often very wise counsel and frank advice. During the last 16 months of being homebound, Nita faithfully said her rosary and watched Mass daily. Her sharp intellect remained intact until the very end and she inspired all of us with her graceful acceptance. We are extremely grateful to Nita’s devoted caregivers Seneti Katoa, Malia Laulea and Hina Laulea for their loving care. Many thanks to Mission Hospice, especially Christine Duncan, RN and Michelle Cronin, NP for their very professional care and advice. We are deeply grateful to her long time friend Rev. Charles Puthota for his faithful spiritual care of Nita, offering Mass at her bedside weekly for 16 months and being present for her death. Friends are invited to attend Vigil Service and Funeral Mass on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Veronica Church, 434 Alida Way, South San Francisco, CA. Entombment to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery located at 1500 Old Mission Road, Colma, CA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Catholic Worker House or Mission Hospice preferred.