Rita Jane Mastandrea

In Loving Memory of

Rita Jane Mastandrea, 87. Died peacefully on August 7, 2025, in Melbourne, FL.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Michael Mastandrea. Rita was born on February 8, 1938, in Chicago, IL, to Irish immigrants Mary and Dennis Collins. Both of Rita’s parents passed away when she was 14 years old, and she and her sister Patricia, 15 at the time, worked hard to raise themselves in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago.   

Rita spent decades of her career retouching negatives at the Naval Station Great Lakes. She was an artistic person who loved to paint.  She maintained close relationships with her elementary school friends throughout her life. Rita was principled, hardworking, and playful; her life embodied the American dream.

 Throughout their married life, Rita and Mike shared a love of cooking, boating, traveling, and most of all spending time with their family. Rita loved the cuisine of her Italian husband, and together they hosted Sunday dinners throughout their lives. Living in Chicago on Mason Avenue, where they raised their children, and then moving to Crystal Lake, IL, where they built a home on the lake. Upon retiring, they split their time between Lake Barrington, IL, and Sarasota, then Siesta Key and Melbourne, FL. They always made friends with their neighbors.

 Rita is survived by her 3 children, Denise (Tim Mullarkey), Steve (Laura), and Kristine (Gary Petersen). Cherished grandmother of Melissa (Kelsey Rydland), Kadee (Bobby Tseitlin), Michael (Marissa Mullarkey), Ashley (Zach Schmitt), Carol, Alex (Alexandra Petersen), Cassondra (Kyle George), and Tiffanie. Beloved great-grandmother of Joshua, Noah, Stella, Vivian, Brayden, Rosemary, Bryson, August, and Caden.