Rita Hudock

Rita Ann Hudock, of Greensburg, died peacefully and unexpectedly at home Thursday, July 12, 2018. She was born in the city of Pittsburgh, and was the daughter of George and Theresa Regensburger Giegerich. Both of Rita's parents died a few years apart when Rita was a child, so she and her siblings were raised in Mt. Lebanon by their beloved and selfless unmarried aunts, Alice and Margaret Giegerich. Rita had fond memories of her childhood and high school years there and the many friends she made. Rita then came to Greensburg to attend Seton Hill College, from which she graduated with a degree in elementary education. It was her college years at Seton Hill that allowed her to meet her late husband, Superior Court Judge Joseph Hudock, who lived in Greensburg while a law student in Pittsburgh. Together they enjoyed dates at the Modern Tea Room and continued dating as Joseph went to serve in the Navy Judge Advocate General Corps in Newport, R.I., and then Japan, while Rita taught elementary school in Mt. Lebanon. They married in 1965, and Rita moved to California where Joseph was serving at a naval base. Rita and Joseph returned to Greensburg in 1967 and raised a family. Although Rita was a woman of many interests, with a wonderful sense of humor, Rita's greatest love, and the focus of her life, was her family. She loved her husband and four children with all her heart. Rita was also blessed to experience the joy of her ten grandchildren and to see them grow and flourish. We know Rita would not want anyone to be sad because of her passing, and she would want us to remember her kindness and humor. She would also want us to remember, and enjoy, her favorite, but needlessly exacting drink order of a Jim Beam Manhattan, served "up," with no ice, but with a separate glass of ice, and no cherry juice, but two cherries in the drink. In addition to her parents, Rita was predeceased by her brother, John Giegerich; and by her husband of almost 51 years, Joseph Hudock. Rita is survived by her four children, son, Joseph A. Hudock Jr. and his wife, Maria, of Gibsonia, daughter, Dr. Ann Hudock and her husband, Dr. Robin Mearns, of Bethesda, Md., son, Dan Hudock, of Greensburg, and daughter, Mary Piper and her husband, David, of Delmont; ten grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. Rita is also survived by her sister, Marge Giegerich Baddeloo, of Scottsdale, Ariz. There will be no funeral home visitation. A private memorial Mass will be held, and interment will be in St. Vincent Cemetery. A happy and uplifting reception will be held to celebrate Rita's life at a date to be determined. Arrangements are in the care of KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME, 524 N. Main St., Greensburg.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. For online condolences and information, please visit kepplegraft.com.