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Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication online and in the newspaper the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Rita Dvorak-Weber
RITA RENEE DVORAK-WEBER
Athens, Ga.
Rita Renee Dvorak-Weber, 68, of Athens, Ga., passed away unexpectedly on May 11, 2022. The youngest daughter of Mildred Graham and Lester Dvorak, Rita grew up on a family farm in the small town of Elberon, Iowa, alongside her five older sisters. Rita attended Benton Community Senior High School, near Elberon, where she was heavily involved in music and theater arts. She later went on to study music at both Ellsworth Community College and the University of Iowa. Rita moved to Athens, Ga., in 1981 where she worked for the University of Georgia and later began her 26-year-long career with the U.S. Postal Service. In Athens, Rita got involved in local theater and music programs such as Town & Gown Players and the Athens Choral Society, as well as singing in her church choir. Rita also spent her time in Athens raising three children of her own and being a devoted and loving mother to her children, pets, and plants alike.
In 2016, Rita retired from the Postal Service and began cashiering part-time at her local Walgreens, where she enjoyed connecting with members of her community and quickly became known to customers as the beloved "Ms Rita." Her shining presence and easy-going nature was greatly cherished by all those around her.
Rita is survived by her three daughters, Kyle Dvorak, Chelsea Sweaney and Caitlin Weber; her sisters, LaVonne McPherson, Arlys Spading-Moen and Amber Dvorak-Pitts; her grandchildren, Eden Dvorak and Jeremy Mango; and dozens of nephews, niece, and cousins from her large and loving family.
She will be joining her mother, father and sisters, Mary Anna Szabo and Wanda Barnes on the other side.
A celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Oconee Street United Methodist Church. The family will receive visitors beginning at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Rita would've appreciated donations made to Oconee Street United Methodist Church in her name. Information on how to donate can be found here: oconeestreetumc.org/giving/ Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. Information and condolences: www.lordandstephens.com.
