Rita L. Billow

Rita L. (nee Persichitti) Billow, age 90, of Las Vegas, NV., formerly of Macedonia, OH passed away peacefully Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Nathan Adelson Hospice Facility in Las Vegas. 

Rita was born on January 28, 1932 in Searights, PA. She was the second youngest of ten siblings in a large Italian family. She attended North Union Township Elementary School in Fayette County, PA until the death of her parents, at age 12. She and her youngest sister, Rosella moved to Cleveland in 1944. In Cleveland, Rita lived with her sister, Emma, and husband, Stanley while attending St. Stanislaus High School, where she graduated in 1949. In the 1950s, she met her husband, Joseph Billow and they were married shortly after. Rita was a doting mom and raised three beautiful children at their home in Macedonia, OH. Rita taught her children the value of a good education and worked tirelessly so that her children could further their education. Rita’s radiant personality charmed the regulars at the Doughnut Shop in Northfield until it closed in the 1980s when the loyal customers followed her to the Bake Shop in Twinsburg until her retirement in the 1990s. We fondly remember the warm summer days spent in Cooks Forest, PA where Rita and her sisters would cook enough food for the entire Persichitti family reunions. She enjoyed watching the Cleveland Indians and going to the horse races at Northfield Park. She collected Hummels and birdhouses. She was a true Italian Nana that enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and sharing recipes with her grandkids. She enjoyed reading Danielle Steele books. After retirement, Rita enjoyed traveling; visiting Italy, Slovenia and Egypt. She would spend her winters in Las Vegas until she moved permanently in 2013. She made many new friends in Las Vegas and enjoyed playing the penny slots. She frequently hosted her family when they would come to escape the cold Ohio winters. Although her memory was fading, she would still light up when she saw the familiar face of friends or family. 

Surviving Rita are her children, Dr. Michael (Vicki) Billow, Cassandra (Mike) Feeley and Timothy (Pamela) Billow; grandchildren, Dr. Damien (Tracy) Billow, Dr. Megan Billow and Galen (Emily Schaefer) Billow, Melissa (Matt) Cobbs, Brian (Fiancee: Emily Shepherd) Feeley and Adam Feeley and Nichol and Chase Billow; great-grandchildren, Logan and Kyle Billow; brother, Robert “Al” Persichitti; brother-in-law, Theodore “Ted” Billow and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Preceding Rita in death are her husband, Joseph Billow; parents, Vincent and Elizabeth Persichitti; siblings, John (Edith) Persichitti, Angelina “Julia” (Chris) Perrota, Andrew 

“Andy” (Frances) Persichitti, Yolanda “Helen” (William) Yanelli, Amadeus “Imes” (Betty) Persichitti, Emma (Stanley) Stoker, Franceso “Frank” (Thelma) Persichitti, and Rosella “Babe” (Robert “Bob”) Milko and sister in law, Algina Persichitti. 

Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 pm Friday, June 3, 2022, at the FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 W. AURORA RD. (ST. RT. 82) SAGAMORE HILLS, OH 44067. 

A private family interment will take place in All Saints Cemetery, Northfield, OH. 

The family requests contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Cleveland Area Chapter, 23215 Commerce Park Suite 300, Beachwood, Ohio 44122. 

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