Rita Anna Thayer, age 96, of Rome, passed away on January 24, 2017 at the Rome Memorial Hospital RHCF, with her loving family at her side. Rita was born on July 29, 1920 in Albany, NY to the late Ellsworth (Alex) J. and Florence Mintline Alexander. The family relocated to Rome in 1926 and became stalwarts in St. Peter’s Church. She graduated from Saint Aloysius Academy in 1938, where she played the piano for many of the school’s musical events. On November 23, 1939, Rita was united in marriage to Carlton Elliot Thayer in a loving marriage that lasted until his passing away on June 30, 1979. Rita was employed by the Rome City School District and worked as a teacher’s aide at Strough and Denti schools. She retired from the school system in 1993. Rita liked her job and was well thought of by her associates and friends. She was a member of the unofficial Friendly’s Senior Coffee Club and could be found there almost every morning and afternoon. Rita is survived by a son, John H. Thayer of Rome; a daughter and son in law, Rita and Ret. USAF Lt. Colonel Frederick Hoffman of Rome; a daughter in law, Patricia Thayer of Rome; grandchildren, Christine (Joseph) Dambra of Rochester, Michael Thayer of Fairport, NY, John P. (Ann) Thayer of Williamstown, WV, Matthew Thayer and Melissa Price of Weston, MA, Christal Rae McQueen of Ilion, Erika (Daniel) Sperling of Rome; and Dr. Bradley (Talia) Hoffman of Ill.; great grandchildren, John (Melysa), Thomas, Sarah Dambra, Abraham and Simon Thayer, Andrew and Samuel Sperling, and Tinley Jo and Kyla Hoffman; a sister and brother in law, Eileen and Leo Wierzeicki of Rome; a special brother in law, Raymond O’Niell of Rochester; nieces and nephews, Nancy Parker, Raymond O’Neill, Patricia Miller, James and Joseph Cavanaugh, Edward, David and Cheryl Uvanni, and Gina Chilson. She was predeceased by her oldest son, Brian E. Thayer in July of 2009; and two sisters, Florence Cavanaugh in 2004 and Jean O’Neill in 2008. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 2 PM at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, with the Rev. Robert Kelly officiating. Burial will be in Rathbunville Cemetery, Vienna, in the spring. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 2 PM prior to the service. Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.