Saratoga Springs, NY - Rita-Anneliese Filion, passed graciously at her home under the care of her family and Hospice after a brief and courageous battle with cancer in Saratoga Springs, NY on March 4, 2011. She was 61. Born on Dec. 12, 1949 in Hamburg, Germany, she emigrated at the age of four to the United States with her parents and settled in Schenectady, NY. A daughter of the late Hans-Richard and Margareta (Hilger) Riedel, she was educated at the former Spencers Business Institute, Adirodack Community College with an associate degree in science and earned her BA in science in elementary education from Plattsburgh State. Rita was employed in the 1970's at General Electric Research and Development and later at the Knolls Atomic Power Lab at the unit headed by Dr. Westbrook, PhD. She taught reading, second and fourth grades at St Clements School in Saratoga Springs for nine years. A lover of animals and nature, family genealogy and History of European Royalty and European history in general, she travelled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Survivors include her husband, Thomas Filion; her brother, Hans-Robert Riedel of Cohoes, NY; cousins, Mickey Reed of Schoharie, NY and Rick Welter of Portland, Oregon; her sister-in-law, Sally Filion of Saratoga Springs, two nephews and a niece. Relatives and friends may call from 9 to 10am Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at the Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Wednesday in the Church of St. Peter, by the Very Rev. Dominic S. Ingemie, pastor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made in her name to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (584-5373). Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.