Rita Ann Long

On June 4, 2026, in the early afternoon hours of a beautiful Thursday, Rita Ann Sisolak Long, 88, joined her twin brother, Robert, in eternal rest. He preceded her by just 18 days. Rita was born on July 26, 1937, in Binghamton, New York, to John A. and Mary Bartos Sisolak. She lived a wonderful life as a devoted mother raising her two children and, a bit ahead of her time, as a woman who worked her way up the ranks at companies such as RTI and IBM. Her most beloved professional role was serving as the church secretary at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Cary, North Carolina, where she was a faithful member for more than 60 years. Rita loved her family, her Catholic faith, her adopted hometown of Cary, her neighbors, cooking, travel, friends and friendships made through work, reading, word puzzles, and classical music. She had a zeal for travel. Her daughter fondly remembers family vacations to Disney World, Dollywood, the Outer Banks, and Williamsburg. Later, her son cherished the many trips she made to Washington, D.C., to visit him and his family. Rita delighted in, and wholeheartedly supported, her children in all their endeavors. Theatre kids loved seeing “Miss Rita” at the many productions in which her daughter, Judy, performed or directed. On one memorable occasion, during a professional production of The Sound of Music, Rita spotted Judy on stage and exclaimed to her brother—loud enough for the other 3,000 attendees to hear—“There’s Judy!” She said it with the same delight as a mother seeing her child in a middle school play. She overflowed with praise for her son, Bill, and daughter-in-law, Mary Beth, often sharing what wonderful parents they were. That same pride extended to her grandchildren, whose accomplishments she eagerly shared with anyone within listening distance. In her later years, although she could no longer attend church in person, she remained steadfast in her faith through daily prayer, weekly reception of the Holy Eucharist, and faithful support of St. Michael’s parish. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, John A. and Mary Bartos Sisolak, and her twin brother, Robert A. Sisolak. She is survived by her daughter, Judy, of Hillsborough, North Carolina; her son, Bill, and daughter-in-law, Mary Beth, of Alexandria, Virginia; her grandchildren, James Carter and Mary Grace of Alexandria, Virginia, and Maria Camila of Steubenville, Ohio; her sister-in-law, Jeannette Greene Sisolak of Vestal, New York; her cousins, Vicki Kubic of Endicott, New York, and Chris Bartos of Victor, New York; and longtime family friend, Dee Stribling of Hillsborough, North Carolina. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 804 High House Road, Cary, North Carolina. Family and friends are invited to gather in celebration of Rita’s life during what would have been her 89th birthday weekend, a fitting time to honor the joy, faith, and love she shared so generously with others. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart. PayPal

Tributes

Rita Ann Long

July 26, 1937 - June 4, 2026