Rita Walsh

Rita Mary (Durosko) Walsh, 93, of Bowling Green Ohio passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 after a short illness. Rita was born in Kenmore, Ohio on February 24, 1932, to John and Agnes Durosko. She attended Immaculate Conception grade school and graduated from St Mary High School in 1949 after which she was employed as an executive secretary at Ohio Edison in downtown Akron.

Rita married James Walsh in 1955. During their nearly 50 years together, they lived for three years in Sumatra, Indonesia, and two years in New Jersey in the early days of Jim's career with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, before settling permanently back in their hometown of Akron.

Rita was a faithful member of St. Sebastian's Church, serving for many years as a sacristan, and a member of the Christ Child Society. She also was a forty year volunteer at St. Thomas Hospital Women's Auxiliary Board working in the gift shop, as well as handling the bookkeeping for gift shop sales. She "retired" at the age of eighty-eight.

Rita was a fun-loving lady with a great sense of humor, but above all should be remembered for her kindness, who really did live out her faith. For many years she and Jim wintered in Gulf Shores, Alabama where they regularly volunteered at a local nursing home, among other volunteer opportunities they undertook together. Not to be forgotten was their encyclopedic knowledge of the location of every good restaurant and food joint within driving distance of wherever they happened to be! Rita enjoyed playing euchre and bridge, belonging to several different card clubs over the years.

In early 2020, Rita moved to Bowling Green to be closer to her children, residing the last three years at Heritage Corner Assisted Living. In her final chapter, she never complained, was always full of thanks for the wonderful care she received, and forged new friendships with fellow residents. There were tears from staff and residents alike at her passing.

Along with her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 2005. She is also preceded by her sister Patricia Kuhn, brother Phillip Durosko, and daughter-in-law Brenda Walsh. She is survived by her children Cynthia, Annette Parson, Michael (Pradit), and Joseph (Julie); grandchildren Sunee Stevens, James (Tara) Walsh, Melanie Walsh (Ben Eiserle), Andrew Walsh, and David (Olivia) Walsh, and three great-granddaughters, Malee Stevens, and London and Parker Walsh. She also leaves her sister, Sister Joyce Durosko IHM, as well as Sister-in-law Helen Walsh, and Brother-in-law Martin (Mary Kay) Walsh, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will take place Friday November 14, 2025 from 10-11am at St. Sebastian Catholic Church located at 476 Mull Ave. Akron, OH 44320. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11am with internment at Holy Cross Akron to follow.

Memorial contributions may be gifted to The American Cancer Society, or Right to Life of Northeast Ohio.