Rita Hirsch of Annemessex Ridge near Crisfield died Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, surrounded by family. She was 83.

Rita was born in Wilmington, where she lived for most of her life. She moved to Angola by the Bay in Lewes in 1985 and to Crisfield in 1991, where for the past 18 years she developed and treasured her wonderful network of friends. She was the daughter of the late Charles Tressler and Rita Fetter Tressler and big sister to Carl Tressler.
She graduated from Wilmington High School in 1945 and was in the process of coordinating a 65-year reunion.

Rita was a homemaker who loved to cook, read, bowl, dance, make crafts, sew and volunteer her time to a multitude of organizations. She was a member of the 600 club for bowling and recently won the prestigious Melvin Jones award, of which she was so proud, for her service with the Crisfield Lioness Lions Club.

She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Carl Hirsch, in 2008.

Rita is survived by her son, Larry Hirsch and wife, Mary, of Middletown, Del.; two daughters, Linda McCoy and husband, Mike, of Wilmington and Wendy Smith and husband, Ray, of Baltimore; six grandchildren, Heather, Stephanie, Shawn, Nicole, Melissa and Polly; and two great-grandchildren, Shane and Annabelle.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Crisfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations or to the charity of one's choice: Crisfield Lioness Lion Club, PO Box 385, Crisfield, Md. 21817; Immanuel United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, c/o Robert H. Bradshaw Jr., 306 West Main St., Crisfield, Md. 21817; or Junior Auxiliary Board of the Peninsula Regional Medical Center, 100 E. Carroll St., Salisbury, Md. 21801.

To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com.