Rita Mitchell Schwandt

October 3, 1930 - February 18, 2021

Rita (Mitchell) Schwandt of Oro Valley, AZ. Formally of Williamsport, PA. passed way on Feb. 18th, 2021, at the age of 90. Rita was an artist since childhood and also studied it in High School. She taught adult evening school classes for a few years when living in Harleysville, PA. She studied with a number of professional artists and continued painting until recently. After moving to Arizona, she taught at the San Zavier Mission School for 7 years and in her home. During a stay in Korea, she was commissioned to paint a large 5x8 ft. watercolor for the Weston Chosen Beach Hotel in Puson for their restaurant. She also taught other women in the hotel to paint, and her works can be found in England, Italy, and Costa Rice along with many she sold in this country. She worked in all media along with casting, stone sculpting and stained glass. She leaves behind a husband of 66 years, Wilfred Schwandt and 2 sons, Mark (Wanda), with 2 children and 2 great grandchildren on PA, also, Christopher (Terry) with 1 stepdaughter in CO. She was preceded in death by a son, David in Nov. of 2020. After a long delay of government paperwork, she will be laid to rest at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Marana at 11AM on July 9th.