Rita has lived at The Pointe for several years and enjoys the independence she has here.  Though she just recently sold her car, due to the growing maintenance expense, Rita remains busy and isn't one to watch the world go by.

Born in Mt. Greenwood, IL, Rita was raised in the area and moved to Midlothian when she married.  Her father, who came from Lithuania as a small boy, was a cabinet maker and loved gardening.  He gave Rita her first plant to care for when she was 3 years. Gardening and botany have played a huge role in her life ever since.  Her and her husband Joe both liked the outdoors and wanted plenty of land with neighbors at a distance.  They bought a plot of land with no access road.  They built half the road themselves and the city built the rest. Eventually, Midlothian grew and incorporated them.  Joe then built Rita a large green house, where she grew all types of flowers and plants, but specialized in Irises and orchids.  Though a hobby, she ran the green house like a nursery and sold the flowers and plants.  Rita is quick to point out that she only grows hybrids, due to their exceptional colors and quality.  In the past Rita has belonged to several gardening groups, including the Midlothian Garden Club and the Palos Heights Garden Club, where she served as president for several years.

Upon moving into The Pointe, Rita immediately met with Maintenance Director, Dan Oganovich, to ask if she could plant her flowers around the grounds.  Dan, who keeps the grounds immaculate and is credited for our Beautification Awards, was a little hesitant at first, but recognized her expertise and passion. During the Spring, Dan would discover new plants peeking up from the soil and knew Rita had been there. Rita has planted 2 of her most favorite Irises, the purple Tall Beards and the beautiful, snow white Immortality. Rita more so than anyone is really looking forward to spring and summer, so she get back outside and tend to her plants.

In addition to gardening, Rita and Joe also enjoyed raising and training German Shepards. This shared hobby came about when their Shepard puppy, Stormy, had chewed up an expensive shoe of Rita's.  She told her husband to take him to obedience school immediately and from there their passion began.  At one point, they drove to Pennsylvania to buy a young Shepard that Rita saw in a dog magazine.  The dog, Aristocrat von Liebenau, would go on to win every obedience at the American Kennel Company and won the UDT (Utility Dog Tracking) award several times.

There is so much more of Rita's life that can't be captured here.  Her travels to Hawaii, fishing trips, her amazing sense of humor and appreciation for traditional Lithuanian food. (Her personal specialties were Kugelis and cabbage soup.)  When she talks about her passions, she lights up and you can still see the excitement that 3 year old girl holding her first plant.