Rita (Kelly) Elwood passed away peacefully in the company of her family at Calvert Manor on Tuesday, January 26, 2016. She was 93 years young.
Born December 21, 1922 in Wilmington, DE, Rita was the daughter of the late Senator Daniel E. Kelly and Mary E. (McLaughlin) Kelly. She was retired from the DuPont Company’s Foreign Patent Division in Wilmington, Delaware. Rita spent most of her years as a resident of the “40 Acres” and St Ann’s Parish. She delighted in the opportunities to entertain family and friends at she and her husband’s summer home near Bethany Beach, DE and spent many winter months enjoying the warmth of Pine Island, FL. Since 2008, she had resided with four generations of family on adjoining properties near Rising Sun, MD.
She was physically active and had a childish crush on her physical trainers: Justin, Jim and Tom from Healthy Lifestyles. She was also a daily visitor to the Cecil Senior Center where she enjoyed bingo and luncheons with friends. She was a devout Catholic and never one to miss a Sunday Mass or a breakfast that followed at a favorite eatery. Wait staff were always fascinated by the fact that she could find room in her petite frame for “two eggs, crispy bacon, red skin potatoes, whole wheat toast and hot tea.” She repeated it every Sunday, even though the staff knew in advance what her wishes were.
In her younger years she was often found on the dance floor and occasionally competing in a Jitter Bug contest of the day. She continued her love of dancing through her senior years and was not hesitant to take to the dance floor at family gathering up into her 80’s.
Rita is survived by her son, Paul D. Elwood and his wife Linda of Calvert, MD; grandson, David A. Elwood and (Victoria) family of Lewes, DE; granddaughter, Erin E. Calhoun and (Todd) family of Calvert, MD; 4 great-grandchildren, Macey, Caleb, Madison, and Mason; and 3 sisters-in-law, Patricia Elwood of Claymont, DE, Louise Evans of Long Island, NY, and Maryanne Permar of Wilmington, DE.
In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her husband, David L. Elwood; brother, Paul F. Kelly and his wife Geraldine; sister, Marie Kamenc and her husband Midge; and brother-in-laws Joseph Elwood, George Evans and Joseph Permar.
A visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Friday, February 5, 2016 at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., 111 S. Queen Street, Rising Sun, MD 21911. A service honoring Rita’s life will be held at 11am on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, 150 S. Queen Street, Rising Sun, MD 21911, where friends and family may visit beginning at 10am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made payable to Little Sisters of the Poor or St. Vincent de Paul Society at Good Shepherd and sent care of the funeral home.