Rita Shelanskey, 80, of Inverness, Fla., passed away peacefully April 18 at home with her husband and her two beloved poodles, Bella and Carlo, at her side. She was under the care of Hospice of Citrus County and her loving husband. She was born Aug. 24, 1937.
Rita graduated from Union High School in 1955. In 1973, she met the love of her life, Steve, and married him in 1975. They were married for 43 years. After spending many years in other places, she returned to Maine with Steve in tow in the early 1980s to the place that both she and Steve truly loved. Steve taught her to fish, and that became her passion. They moved to Florida after tiring of shoveling but still spent as much time in Maine as they could. They had lived on Biscay Pond for about 25 years.
She was predeceased by a daughter, Mary Catherine; mother, Aino; and step-father, Ray Paasiala.
Rita is survived by son, Scott Payson; and daughter, Shari Classen, in addition to Steve, Bella, and Carlo. She also had many friends in Bristol, Damariscotta, and Jefferson.
Rita’s wishes were for any services to be private.
Rita believed that flowers were for the living, a belief that she adopted from her mother-in-law. For those wishing to make memorial contributions, please consider your local animal shelter or Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast, PO Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34464, (352) 527-2020.