Rita Astra Dezso

Rita Astra Dezso, 60, of Pageland, SC, passed away on July 25,2023 after battling ovarian cancer for 18 months with her daughter lovingly by her side. Rita was in remission after chemo and surgery in September 2022 but then a repeat scan in April 2023 showed the cancer had metastasized to four other areas of her body. She tried to start chemotherapy back again but her body could not tolerate it. After just one treatment she ended up back in the hospital twice for a blood clot and fluids in her lungs and needing several blood transfusions. It was upon the last hospital discharge that it was decided she go on hospice services as her health continued to decline, which she remained on until her passing, a little over five weeks later. Rita was born on December 2, 1962 in Ohio to John Dezso and Austra Upesleja. After high school graduation Rita went on to study dental assisting and practiced that her entire life, including a brief time of being an instructor at a dental assisting school around 2004. Rita met Ken in Ohio and they were married and had one child, Amber. They divorced when Amber was around two. Rita raised Amber primarily on her own, with Ken having visitation every other weekend. With a Latvian and Hungarian background, Rita spoke Latvian and attended some activities associated with the Latvian Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Ohio. She taught Amber how to speak some Latvian and introduced her to Latvian “black” and “yellow” bread and piragi (a delicious combination of bacon, onion, ham and spices wrapped in warm fresh roll), which is now Amber’s favorite Latvian food to make. In 2011, Rita moved to North Carolina for a new work and living atmosphere as the winters in Ohio were becoming too harsh for her. She lived in Gastonia, NC for 10 years before building a house in Pageland, SC; 30 minutes from her daughter’s home in Monroe, NC. Now being closer to each other they were able to enjoy more activities together, such as going to the beach, blueberry picking, going to the park, BBQ get-togethers, going to parades and playing outside with her grand-daughter Madelynn. Rita was also able to attend some services and activities at Southpointe Fellowship church, which welcomed her and were very supportive in her last days. Rita is survived by her daughter Amber, son-in-law Brian and grand-daughter Madelynn (6). She is further survived by her three sisters, Greta, Brenda and Zenta; as well as numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her former spouse, Ken in 2016. Her family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for her and for them. Rita requested no service be held after her passing, but that her ashes be taken back to Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a page for any donations to provide pet supplies for her dog (Abbie) and cat (Zor) to continue to care for them. You may donate online at https://www.spotfund.com/story/8d74b754-ef3a-4548-b0ac-51b2b7bae8b7

Rita Astra Dezso

December 2, 1962 - July 25, 2023