Rita Margaret Panayioto

Rita Margaret Rolfes Panayioto, 72, of Atlanta, was born in Columbus, Ohio on March 17, 1951 (St. Patrick’s Day) and died May 13, 2023 from complications of lung cancer. Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Steven; sons: Nicholas and Lucas; sisters: Mary Sue Tate and Cindy Rolfes (Craig); Brothers Jude Rolfes (Laurie) and Tony Rolfes (Dulce) and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held 11:00am, Saturday, May 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. There will be a Wake on Friday, May 26 at Fischer Funeral Care in Chamblee, GA from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

Rita graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelors-in-Science degree in Community Health/Nutrition She became a certified diabetes educator and spent many years at Grady Hospital and Emory University Hospital educating diabetes patients, teaching other health professionals and coordinating clinical research trials.  Along the way she wrote a book chapter on diabetes nutrition and co-authored articles in peer reviewed journals related to diabetes nutrition. Rita was well known in the diabetes community and developed many long-term friendships.

She also was a devoted member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. She had a deep faith and was a very active participant and leader in various ministries withinthe church. She also became familiar with the Greek Orthodox religion and the church that her husband Steven attends.

Rita embraced her many talents and passions. A lifelong interest in baking and creating new ways to make meals more healthy involved frequent substitutions of ingredients to the delight of family and friends.

Being of Irish descent, she had music and art in her soul. She loved to play the piano.

As retirement came, she began to learn to play the harp. She also joined a knitting and crocheting group. Award winning scarves, afghans, sweaters and other creative gems were the result. Rita loved estates sales and once came home after an afternoon of searching with a baby grand piano!

Rita had a lilt in her voice, an easy smile and her eyes sparkled. She believed in the good in people and gave all the benefit of the doubt. With her positive attitude, she worked to do her part to bring cheer to her life and to others. She loved to put on a spread for her family and friends. She loved life and she loved people and held them close to her heart.

Flowers are welcome or send donations to St. Vincent DePaul Society at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Atlanta, GA or IHM AIDS Ministry, Atlanta, GA. Both charities were close to Rita’s heart.

For Rita’s Obituary and I believe live stream of both events go to: http://www.fischerperimeterchapel.com/obituary/Rita-Panayioto

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