SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - Catherine Rita King passed peacefully at her Locust Grove Road home on Monday, November 26, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. Born on August 8, 1922 in Fort Worth, Texas, she was the daughter of Maurice J. and Mary C. Severino. Many never knew her as Catherine, but simply as "Rita", after her grandmother, Rita Dean, who was an accomplished actress having played the Hippodrome and Ziegfeld Follies in the golden age of Vaudeville. Rita and her family lived in Chicago until 1929 when they moved to Saratoga Springs and bought the family home on Locust Grove Rd. where she has remained ever since. Rita graduated from Our Lady of The Star High School in Saratoga Springs in 1940. After High School, Rita was involved in a variety of activities in Saratoga, including singing at over 40 Bistros through a combined broadcasting system. During World War II she served as an enemy air craft spotter atop the Armory in Saratoga Springs. It was during this time that Rita met Joseph G. King whom she would marry and spend the next 69 years of her life with. Rita, from an early age, loved dancing; in particular tap and jazz. She danced into her 80's through Stepping Star Dance Studio. Her family always looked forward to the annual recitals in April. It was through this association that she landed roles in the two movies Ghost Story and Billy Bathgate. She loved dancing so much that after she broke her femur at age 70 she recuperated and was dancing within a year. Rita only stopped dancing when a stroke in 2002 limited her ability to do so. Second to her love of dancing was her love of animals. She raised Persian cats as a youngster and after marrying her husband, Joe, they realized a dream of owning a horse farm, Locustwood Farm. Here they raised numerous National champion Arabian horses. She also enjoyed traveling across the United States as well as making two trips to Italy. She was a member of St Clements and St. Josephs Roman Catholic Churches. Rita's greatest love was her family. She has a large extended family and her home was always open to her brothers and sister, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, during their travels. Rita is survived by her husband of more than 69 years, Joseph G. King and daughters Candace King of Clover, South Carolina and Marikate Matthews of Ocala, Florida, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was predeceased by her son, Joseph R. King, daughter, Cordelia (Cordy) Schwartz, brothers Dick and Jerry Severino and her sister Grace Donahue. Rita's family would like to thank Dr. Klepetar and his staff, the staff of Saratoga Hospital, the Eddy Visiting Nurses Association, The Community Hospice of Saratoga, Brian and Jenny Susko , Valerie Mitchell and Father Neil Draves-Arpaia for their support and empathy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am Friday, November 30, 2012 at St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, by the Rev. Neil Draves-Arpaia. Flowers may be sent to St. Clement's Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita's name to the Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs 12866. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.