Rita Sadowski

Rita Cooke Sadowski, 91, formerly of Newton, Kansas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 28, 2024. Rita was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Clayton; her son, Gregory; her parents, Michael and Eva Cooke; and her siblings, Edwin, Margaret, Richard, Michael, Joseph, Katherine, Patrick, and her treasured twin sister Jean.

She is survived by her daughters, Gail (Mitch) Sexton and Gina (Kelly) Crowley. Rita also leaves behind four grandchildren: Katie Jones (Bradley Jarvis), Andrew Sexton (Katy Vaninger), Clayton Crowley, Carter Crowley, and five great-grandchildren: Noah, Elijah, Vivian, Francis and Jack.

A rosary service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home Chapel in Newton, Kansas. A funeral service will be held in her honor on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newton, Kansas. A graveside service will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Rita was a devoted wife to Clayton, with whom she shared a deep love and a passion for sports, cheering on the Royals, Chiefs, and Jayhawks. As a mother, she instilled a deep sense of faith in her children. Known for her jubilant personality, Rita loved to laugh and tell stories.

Rita traveled extensively, exploring Europe, Ireland, Kenya, and the United States from Baltimore to Hawaii. She cherished being a grandmother and doting over her "precious babies." Rita was an active runner for over 30 years, completing numerous 10k races, including the River Run, Peachtree Road Race, Crescent City Classic, and Charleston Cooper River Bridge Run. In her youth, she enjoyed water and snow skiing.

A skilled card player, Rita taught her family her favorite games, and family reunions were filled with laughter and friendly competition around the kitchen table. In her professional life, she worked as a bookkeeper and analyst, retiring from Boeing.

A devout Catholic, Rita visited the Vatican multiple times, meeting several popes. She served as a eucharistic minister and sacristan at her church, regularly praying the rosary and attending confession and mass. Rita's vibrant spirit, unwavering faith, and boundless love will be deeply missed. Donations in her memory can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School.