Obituary of Rita E. Beck

On Friday, October 9th, 2020, Rita Beck, devoted wife, and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away at the age of 83. Rita was born in Staten Island, NY, to Michael and Teresa Merolo. As the youngest of five children, Fannie, Nat, Jack, and Dolly, Rita was adored by her whole family. She graduated from P.S. 22 and Port Richmond High School. At the age of 17, she met the love of her life, August "Gus" Beck, who was serving in the United States Army stationed on Staten Island. Gus and Rita married in 1956 and welcomed three boys, Michael, Thomas, and Steven. Rita's devotion and love of her family only grew when she gained three daughters-in-law, Phyllis, Colette, and Christine, her eight grandchildren, Jennie, Melissa, Thomas, Michael, Christopher, Stephanie, Krystin and Michael, and four great-grandchildren, Beckett, Everly, Emelia and Aria. Rita could be found watching her grandchildren, cooking meals for the entire family, socializing with her friends and family, taking a turn on a dance floor with Gus, at her Florida home, or hitting the jackpot on the penny slots. Rita and Gus's extraordinary relationship inspired everyone around them. Rita was known for her faithfulness, caring, and dedication to her husband and family. Gus and Rita built a beautiful life and were loved as both individuals and a couple, even being crowned the King and Queen of the Valentine's Day dance in their community in Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306. (Tunnel2Towers.Org). Funeral from the Matthew Funeral Home, Inc., 2508 Victory Boulevard, on Wednesday, departing at 10 am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Teresa's R.C. Church at 10:45 am. Interment to follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to visit on Tuesday, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm. Due to Covid-19, all visitors to the funeral home and church must wear masks, practice social distancing, and be mindful that a small wait to visit might exist due to capacity limitations.