Rita Grandi was born in Memphis, Tennessee, January 13, 1932, to Ernest G. Grandi and Lula M. Bradford Grandi.  Rita passed away peacefully on December 16, 2017 at Clarehouse in Tulsa.

Rita was the youngest of 6 children and grew up in Memphis, TN, with her 4 brothers and one sister.  She graduated from Memphis Tech High School in 1949.

Rita met Joseph Ksepka at the Millington Naval Air Station in 1951 at a naval dance.  She married Joe the following year in San Diego, CA.  They moved to Old Brige, NJ in 1957 where she earned an Associates Degree in Secretarial Science from Middlesex County College.  She worked for Johnson and Johnson as a medical secretary until moving to Kendall Park, NJ in 1959 where she and Joe began their family of two sons, Victor and Christopher.  The family moved to Downingtown, PA in 1976 and then moved to Sterling Heights, MI for one year, which was more than enough of that climate.  Rita and her family finally settled in Broken Arrow, OK in 1981, to make a wonderful home where she took care of all creatures great and small and made beautiful gardens.

In 1984, Rita earned her Associates Degree in Music Education from Tulsa Junior College.  She began teaching piano and over the course of 30 years, brought music into the lives of over 200 young students.  She continued her education to become an Oblate of St. Joseph's Monastery in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In her later years, she became part of a wonderful group of friends through the Thornton-Tandy YMCA.  Jessie, Judy, Marty, Rita & Terry, had many luncheons and adventures together at restaurants around town.

Rita's generosity has touched many people's lives and she will truly be missed.  Her many humanitarian works included knitting socks and hats for the homeless.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Ksepka, and by her siblings, Ernest, Elmo, Geno, Robert and Algenia Grandi, all of Memphis, TN.

She is survived by her children, Victor Grandi, and his wife Brenda Grandi and Christopher Ksepka and his wife Christy Ksepka, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Our family will receive friends at Fitzgerald Southwood Chapel, Tuesday, December 19th from 6-8 PM, and a graveside ceremony at Calvary Cemetery, Wednesday, December 20th at 3 PM.Donations made to the St. Bernard of Clairveax, or Holy Family Cathedral parishes, both in Tulsa, would best honor her years of devotion.

Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500.