Rita J. Ondercin Funeral Fund

The name of this amazing woman was Rita J. Ondercin. She lost her battle with Alzheimer’s disease and passed away on November 23, 2015, at age 75, in the presence of her two loving Daughters.

Rita was preceded in death by her Parents, Edgar and Jeanne Roy, her Brother Bobby and by her Husband Keith.


(This is a photo of the nine Brothers and Sisters, at the memorial luncheon for their Mother, Jeanne Roy. Listed from left to right are: Sandy, David, Fran, Donna, Mom, Jackie, Cheryl, Sue, and Paul.)

She is survived by her eight Brothers and Sisters: Fran, Jackie, Sandy, Donna, Paul, David, Cheryl, and Sue. Her Daughters Deanna and Dianna, Son-in-law Stephen, and grandchildren: Andrew, Olivia, Caitlynn and Steven, and Step-grandchildren (and their families): Jennifer, David and Megan. As well as several Neices and Nephews.

I am her Daughter, Deanna Hecht. I want to tell you some things you may, or may not know about my Mom.

During her life, Rita worked hard at many low paying jobs to make a living for herself and her family, but like so many low paid workers, she was unable to acquire enough extra to establish the savings needed for her final expenses. Since her retirement, and subsequent illness, all her insurance policies have lapsed. As Rita’s Eldest Daughter, I am reaching out to anyone who knew this amazing woman for help raising these necessary funds.

From about 1985 to 1990, at the pinnacle of her career, Rita was the Head Chef for Sweet Things Restaurant and Catering in Richmond, Virginia. During this time, she prepared food for many of the major acts of the day who performed at Richmond Coliseum. Some of the famous people who Mom prepared food for during that time were Mötley Crüe   (including Tommy Lee   & Heather Locklear   who hung out in the kitchen all day with Mom), Luther Vandross   (who personally phoned Mom to compliment her chicken recipe), Bonnie Raitt  , and Jimmy Buffett  (who brought along his own Gulf Shrimp)! If you were ever lucky enough to have my Mom cook for you, you know the kind of delicious food she would prepare.

 About 5 weeks ago, we got the call that Mom was taken by ambulance to the Emergency Room at our local Hospital for symptoms of heart failure. She endured countless tests and a 10-day stay. She never fully recovered. At this point, we had to make the decision to send her to a new nursing facility that incorporated Hospice care. This is where her journey ended. She passed away from this life peacefully, but with several unpaid bills, and no insurance. In her last hour, my Sister Dianna, and my Husband, Stephen and I, attended her. She was able to hear by telephone, the voices of my Son Andrew, and her Sisters Cheryl and Sue.

My Sister, my Husband and I have practically no savings to cover any of Mom’s expenses. I am unemployed due to a debilitating medical condition, so all of the income from my Husband’s job goes toward our own expenses, and my Sister is a single parent of two children.

We will need to reach our goal as soon as possible, because the bills will be rolling in, and since Mom had no life insurance, or even a will, this fund raising campaign is the only means of taking care of her final expenses, or providing some financial relief to my Sister and myself for the years spent of providing for her care. It would mean so much to receive your helpful contribution towards affording Mom’s final dignity.

Thank you in advance for your love, consolation, and help.