Rita Bilsky Yeates, 84, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019 with her son and daughter-in-law by her side. She was predeceased by her husband, Gordon, daughter, Lisa (Yeates) Lambe and parents, Leo and Wanda Bilsky. She is survived by her three children and son-in-law; Christian D. Yeates and wife, Laura B. Yeates, Orem, UT and children, Michelle, Monica, Aaron and Spencer, Matthew B. Yeates and wife, Karen W. Yeates, Mt. Pleasant, SC and children Matthew, Katie and Bradley, Valery (Yeates) Shaw and husband, Christopher Shaw, Saratoga Springs, UT and children Jared, Nicole, Benjamin and Daniel, son-in-law, John S. Lambe (Hilton Head, SC), and children Andrew (wife-Wanyi, daughter-Lisa), Erik and Kristen. Rita grew up in the part of Binghamton known as Polish Heaven. She was a retired reading teacher who attended Cortland State Teacher’s College and earned her master’s degree from Columbia University. Rita was a life-long learner who enjoyed discovering other cultures and traveled extensively with her parents (in earlier years), later with her husband, children/grandchildren. She was a member of the Polish National Catholic Church in her youth and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in her adult years, providing service to both congregations in several capacities. Throughout her adult life she volunteered in her community by participating as a board member for the Kopernick Society and Observatory as well as the American Civic Association, where she also taught a course in English as a second language. Rita was a member of the American Association of University Women as well as Lyceum. Recent summers for Rita have been spent teaching English in Poland at a camp for boys aged 16-18. She loved her Polish heritage, teaching, learning, international travel, and meeting people of various backgrounds to experience differing perspectives. Above all, Rita loved her family and spending time with them.
Funeral services will be held at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home this Friday evening from 7-8:30 pm and Saturday from 9:45-10:45 am with a service following at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy, in her memory can be made to Vestal Dollar for Scholars, Lisa Yeates Lambe Scholarship, PO Box 959, Vestal, NY 13851-0959.