Rita Pepitone nee Marcotte of Hallandale Beach passed away on August 2, 2010 after a brief illness. Rita was born March 8, 1920 in Marshall, MN. The family moved to Steger, IL in 1930 and she graduated from St. Liborius Grade School in Steger and Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights, IL. Rita worked for many years at the Carson Pirie Scott store in Chicago Heights and later was head of the cosmetics department at the CPS flagship store on State Street in downtown Chicago. After retirement from CPS, she worked for Estee Lauder Cosmetics, dabbled in real estate/apartment management in Chicago and Florida, and cofounded R.S. Transport, a trucking company she owned for many years in Ft. Atkinson, WI.

Rita was an avid golfer. She shot a hole in one at age 78 and another at age 88 at Orangebrook Country Club in Hollywood. She was a long time member of numerous organizations and clubs. Most recently, her energy was directed towards the Hollywood Moose Lodge and the board of the Ambassador South Apartments in Hallandale Beach.

Rita is survived by her son George Linda Vellender of Delavan, WI; two grandsons, Gregory Vellender of Wisconsin and Darin Vellender of Florida; five great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many friends especially PK and Lorraine Stevenson of Pembroke Pines. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Dr. George Vellender; Robert Schroeder and Peter Pepitone; her parents, Fred and Alma Marcotte; one sister, Juliette Zagone; and two brothers, Fred Marcotte and Donald Marcotte.

Family and friends will gather at St. Matthew Church, 542 Blue Heron Dr, Hallandale Beach on Thursday August 5 at 9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM celebrated by her nephew, the Rev. Frederick Zagone, S.J. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Rita�s name to Moose Charities at: www.moosecharities.org/Giving.asp