Rita Mae Thimons

Rita Mae (Nickolaus) Thimons, 85, of Natrona Heights, passed away March 19th, 2021 (on the Feast of Saint Joseph, the Patron Saint of a happy and peaceful passing) at Forbes Hospice in Monroeville. She was born September 9, 1935 in Natrona, the daughter of the late Joseph Nickolaus and late Florence (Bonner) Nickolaus. Her deepest love was for God, followed closely by the love of her life, her late husband, Arnold Joseph Thimons (died July 11, 2014), who she and others affectionately called “Bundy”. They met when they were both attending Saint Joseph High School in Natrona, where Rita graduated from in 1954. They got married on June 18^th, 1955 and lived in Natrona Heights for nearly all of their 59-year marriage.

Rita was a devoted Catholic, and someone who spent much of her time in prayer on behalf of her many family members. She was a very active member of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament church in Natrona Heights where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. Other places where she gave of her time were her children’s schools (Blessed Sacrament, Natrona Heights and Saint Joseph, Natrona), Meals on Wheels, and Pittsburgh’s Soup Kitchen.  

Rita loved accompanying her husband on their many trips together and watching Notre Dame football (on TV and often in the stadium). She loved spending time with family and friends, both the formal events like weddings and birthday parties, but even more so during the ordinary opportunities to gather, share laughter and warm times together while playing cards, enjoying Sunday patio cook-outs, or something as simple as rocking one of her grandchildren on the glider while singing to them.

In addition to her parents and husband, Rita was preceded in death by three brothers, and three sisters. Survivors include one sister, Claire (Guy) Gula of Brackenridge; her children, Mark A. (Judy) Thimons, of Natrona Heights, Michael A. Thimons, of Irwin, Regis G. (Rose) Thimons, of Mishawaka, Ind., Richard A. (Brenda) Thimons, of Brackenridge, Donna M. George, of Greensburg, Dianne E. (Mark) Moore, of Tarentum, Arnold J. (Teresa) Thimons IV, of Greensburg, and Linda J. Thimons, of Virginia; grandchildren, Adam (Erin Skoda) and Alex Thimons, Juliana (Eric ) Hoffman, Rebecca (Ben) Hofer, Matthew (Ellen) and Nathan (Wenzday) Thimons, Richard Thimons Jr., Lynette (Ryan) Robertson, Leah and Anna George, Joseph Landefeld, Jason (Jess) Moore, Rachel (John) Shearer, Nicholas (Rachel) Moore and Arnold Thimons V.; and her great grand-children, who knew how to naturally light up her days and make her smile after her husband died. They include Issac and Ada Thimons, Zadie Hoffman, Oliver, William, Jacob and Luke Hofer, Millie Thimons, Ashton Thimons, Rhett and Sloane Roberston, Briella, Madelyn, and Jackson Shearer, Jason and Shey Moore, and Wesley Moore.

A private family only visitation will be held in Duster Funeral Home, 347 E 10^th Ave., Tarentum, 724-224-1526.  However, extended family and friends are all invited to attend her funeral mass at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Tuesday at 10 AM . Everyone please meet at church. Please be prepared to follow all CDC guidelines regarding wearing of face coverings and social distancing. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Frazer Twp will she will be laid to rest next to her husband Arnold. There will be a memorial celebration at a later time in the style of an Irish wake to celebrate her life. Please contact the family if you would like to be informed of these plans. Family suggests contributions to the Parkinson’s Foundation of Western PA.  VISIT: dusterfh.com