Rita Powers Bangs

Bangs, Rita Powers

Rita Powers Bangs, 89, died peacefully on Monday, February 14, 2011, at her home. Born September 5, 1921 in Scipio Center, NY, Rita was the daughter of the late Lee and Rose Bowness Powers, and the wife of the late John F. Bangs (April 9, 1974).

She graduated from Emily Howland School in Sherwood, NY and received her nursing degree from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Rochester, NY.

Rita joined her husband John in providing service to the community with Bangs Funeral Home. In 1945 she pioneered the local Emergency Medical Services when she started Bangs Ambulance Service. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church.

Rita was the mother of seven children: John F. Bangs, Jr., Daniel P. (Miki) Bangs, M. Patricia Bangs, Jeffrey L. (Ann) Bangs, Suzanne Bangs Lonergan, Timothy F. (Lou Anne) Bangs and Kevin P. (Jackie) Bangs.

She is also survived by her sixteen grandchildren: Lance (Corin) Bangs, Shannon (Blake) Hiltabrand, Christopher (Mayumi) Wood, Kate (Mark) Profet, Polly Wood, Bryan (Katie) Bangs, Sarah Bangs, Michael (Nicole) Lonergan, Charles (Frances) Lonergan, Courtney Bangs, Meghan Bangs, Caitlin Bangs, Bridgette Bangs, Danielle Bangs, Casey Bangs, John Bangs; 13 great-grandchildren: Marshall Bangs, Glory! Bangs, Jackson Hiltabrand, Cooper Hiltabrand, Joe Wood, Andy Wood, Parker Profet, Paige Profet, Pearl Dove Wood, Kobe Bangs, Bode Lonergan, Kallan Lonergan, Rowan Lonergan, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

In addition to her husband and her parents, Rita was also predeceased by her brothers, Joseph Powers, William Powers and Jack Powers; her sisters, Jane Powers Cummings and Susan Powers Bourke; and her dear friend, Rosa Murray.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by the Rev. Leo Reinhardt on Saturday, February 19, 2011, 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita's memory may be made to the Immaculate Conception School, 320 W. Buffalo Street, Ithaca, NY 14850; or to the TC3 Nursing Program, TC3 Foundation, PO Box 520, Dryden, NY 13035