Open Full Navigation
We're sorry but the candle you have selected is currenty in the process of being purchased or has just recently been purchased.
Please feel free to select another candle or check back in 15 minutes to see if the candle you have selected has been released for purchase.
Thank you.
Okay
We're sorry but there are no candles available for lighting.
Thank you.
Ok
You have already begun a candle purchase session. If you would like to continue with your current candle choice please click "Continue" otherwise please click "Select Another".
Thank you.
Select another
Continue
In Memory of
Rita Ann
Houston
Houston
1961 - 2020
Click above to light a memorial candle.
Obituary for Rita Ann Houston
Rita Ann Houston, of Valley Cottage, NY, passed away on December 15,
2020 in her home, after a six-year battle with cancer.
Rita was born in White Plains, NY to William and Rita Houston on
September 28, 1961. She was raised in Mount Vernon, New York and
attended Hobart and William Smith College. She married Laura Fedele on
January 21, 2011, and again on September 10, 2011. She
enthusiastically served as a DJ, Music Director, and then Program
Director for WFUV Public Radio at Fordham University for twenty-six
years, where she also hosted her own radio program, the Whole Wide
World with Rita Houston. She is a two-time Radio & Records (R&R) Music
Director of the Year, three-time designate of Gavin's Music Director
of the Year, and was awarded the Deems Taylor Award for Broadcast
Excellence. She was named Program Director of the Year by FMQB for
2019, and is a permanent part of the DJ exhibit at the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
Rita is survived by her loving wife Laura, her brother Richard Houston
and his husband Thomas Pumo; her sister Debra and her husband
Salvatore Baglio; and her youngest brother Robert Houston, his wife
Kelly, and their children Devin, Daniel, and Katherine; her nephew
William Houston III and his daughters Johanna and Harper; among an
extended family of cousins and in-laws. Rita is preceded in death by
her parents Rita and William, and her eldest brother William Houston
II.
The Houston and Fedele families wish to extend their sincere thanks to
Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and Dr. Dmitriy Zamarin, and United
Hospice of Rockland. Donations in Rita’s name may be made to the TJ
Martell Foundation or WFUV Public Radio.
A private memorial service will be held this weekend.
2020 in her home, after a six-year battle with cancer.
Rita was born in White Plains, NY to William and Rita Houston on
September 28, 1961. She was raised in Mount Vernon, New York and
attended Hobart and William Smith College. She married Laura Fedele on
January 21, 2011, and again on September 10, 2011. She
enthusiastically served as a DJ, Music Director, and then Program
Director for WFUV Public Radio at Fordham University for twenty-six
years, where she also hosted her own radio program, the Whole Wide
World with Rita Houston. She is a two-time Radio & Records (R&R) Music
Director of the Year, three-time designate of Gavin's Music Director
of the Year, and was awarded the Deems Taylor Award for Broadcast
Excellence. She was named Program Director of the Year by FMQB for
2019, and is a permanent part of the DJ exhibit at the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
Rita is survived by her loving wife Laura, her brother Richard Houston
and his husband Thomas Pumo; her sister Debra and her husband
Salvatore Baglio; and her youngest brother Robert Houston, his wife
Kelly, and their children Devin, Daniel, and Katherine; her nephew
William Houston III and his daughters Johanna and Harper; among an
extended family of cousins and in-laws. Rita is preceded in death by
her parents Rita and William, and her eldest brother William Houston
II.
The Houston and Fedele families wish to extend their sincere thanks to
Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and Dr. Dmitriy Zamarin, and United
Hospice of Rockland. Donations in Rita’s name may be made to the TJ
Martell Foundation or WFUV Public Radio.
A private memorial service will be held this weekend.
Recently Shared Condolences
Recently Lit Memorial Candles
-
We are honored to prov ...(read more)
Recently Shared Stories
Recently Shared Photos