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Rita Elsner
Visitation:
Saturday
March 15, 2025
2-4PM & 6-8PM
John Krtil Funeral Home
1297 1st Ave
New York, NY 10021
Funeral Mass:
Wednesday
March 19, 2025
10 AM
St. John Evangelist
348 E 55th St
New York, NY 10022
Burial:
Wednesday
March 19, 2025
1 PM
St. Charles Cemetery
2015 Wellwood Ave
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Rita Elsner, age 93, of New York City and Mainz, Germany, passed into eternal life on Ash
Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Rita was a devout Catholic, defender of the Catholic Faith,
defender of the unborn, and of the poor and needy. She was a dear friend, prayer partner, and
correspondent to many laypersons and religious in the United States, Germany, India, and
China. Rita was predeceased by her parents, Karl and Hedwig Elsner, her brother Karl and her
sister Monika. She is survived by her sister-in-law Gudrun and her nephew Boris in Germany.
Rita was born in Neisse, Silesia (now Nysa, Poland) in 1932 to Karl and Hedwig Elsner. She
was raised in the historic city center. Her idyllic childhood was disturbed by the rise of Nazism,
and her teenage years were ravaged by the Second World War and the invasion and eventual
partition of Silesia. Her family was part of the mass expulsion of the Silesian people when the
boundaries of Germany were redrawn and her homeland transferred to Poland. Rita and her
family were refugees of the war from 1946 until 1954. In 1954, the family secured a small
apartment in the city of Mainz, where Rita lived with her father until she emigrated to New York
During her years in New York City, while working as an administrative assistant at Exxon Mobil,
Rita actively served in Father Leppich’s Catholic apostolate. Later she was extensively involved
in Catholic Evidence Guild, sidewalk counseling for the Respect Life Movement, the
Missionaries of Charity in the Bronx, and many other charitable activities. She was a daily
communicant at St. John the Evangelist Parish, living across from the Church. Rita was a street
evangelist for the Catholic faith, reaching out and engaging in conversation with persons from
Rita was a devoted friend, godmother, and spiritual grandmother. She was devoted to the
Rosary and an example of perseverance in prayer. She will be missed by her many friends and
co-workers in charitable works. May she rest in peace with her loving Savior.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Rita was a devout Catholic, defender of the Catholic Faith,
defender of the unborn, and of the poor and needy. She was a dear friend, prayer partner, and
correspondent to many laypersons and religious in the United States, Germany, India, and
China. Rita was predeceased by her parents, Karl and Hedwig Elsner, her brother Karl and her
sister Monika. She is survived by her sister-in-law Gudrun and her nephew Boris in Germany.
Rita was born in Neisse, Silesia (now Nysa, Poland) in 1932 to Karl and Hedwig Elsner. She
was raised in the historic city center. Her idyllic childhood was disturbed by the rise of Nazism,
and her teenage years were ravaged by the Second World War and the invasion and eventual
partition of Silesia. Her family was part of the mass expulsion of the Silesian people when the
boundaries of Germany were redrawn and her homeland transferred to Poland. Rita and her
family were refugees of the war from 1946 until 1954. In 1954, the family secured a small
apartment in the city of Mainz, where Rita lived with her father until she emigrated to New York
City in 1960.
Rita actively served in Father Leppich’s Catholic apostolate. Later she was extensively involved
in Catholic Evidence Guild, sidewalk counseling for the Respect Life Movement, the
Missionaries of Charity in the Bronx, and many other charitable activities. She was a daily
communicant at St. John the Evangelist Parish, living across from the Church. Rita was a street
evangelist for the Catholic faith, reaching out and engaging in conversation with persons from
every walk of life.
Rosary and an example of perseverance in prayer. She will be missed by her many friends and
co-workers in charitable works. May she rest in peace with her loving Savior.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Rita's favorite charities: The Missionaries of Charity (https://missionariesofcharity.org), Cardinal Kung Foundation, (http://www.cardinalkungfoundation.org), or the Respect Life Movement.
New Title
IN MEMORY Nestor Benjamin Zapata Passed Jan 15, 2026 Born June 28,1932 Resided Nyc, NY Nestor Benjamin Zapata went home to the Risen Jesus on Jan 15, 2026 at age 93. Nestor was born to Nestor Zapata Sandoval and Anita Vinck on June 28, 1932 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. As a Child, He excelled in school, theater and sports. With leading roles in plays at George Washington H.S. IN Washington Heights, NYC. He was also an avid baseball and basketball player. He loved playing golf with his friends. He also was an excellent ice skater that few PR's can do. Nestor met his 1st wife, Connie at a church dance. They married two years later and went on to have four children, Nestor, Michael, Laura and Christina. Also many Grandchildren as well Great-Grandchildren He later met his current wife, Grace and married Nov 5, 1999. They loved going to meetings to celebrate the gift of sobriety. As well as helping many people along the journey. They also enjoyed going to Lincoln Center, Radio City and Broadway. Seeing Hamilton twice! They acquired an incredible taste for NYC Cuisine. In addition to being a dedicated father, Nestor also loved the NY Yankees and NY Giants, also staying active in AA & holding various roles at the church. He also will be remembered for umpiring little league on Roosevelt Island. He held an unwavering faith in God, which He shared with those who surrounded him.
Viewing Thursday December 18th, 2025 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. Funeral Mass Church of St. Monica 413 East 79th Street New York, NY 10075 Thursday December 18th, 2025 10:00 A.M. Private Cremation In Lieu of Flowers Donate to St. Jude https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
Donna M. Hamilton, a beloved mother, was born on December 27, 1943 in Kansas City, MO and peacefully passed away in the early evening of October 31, 2025. Donna’s faith guided her outlook to motherhood and to life. Donna grew up throughout the state of Texas. After graduating high school, her family moved to Washington, D. C. She eventually met and later married Vernon Hamilton (1930-2014); they had three children. Donna enjoyed participating in her church's events, embroidery, watching Hallmark movies, and most of all being with her family and friends. She had a beautiful smile and a kind, friendly personality that was noticed by everyone. Donna retired from New York Presbyterian Hospital after working as a Physician’s Assistant for over 35 years. She worked in the ambulatory surgery and plastic surgery departments, but her passion was in plastic surgery. Donna was phenomenal and highly respected in her field and often would be called upon to help the student physicians. Donna is survived by her three children: Scott, Melody, and Todd, an older brother, John Scott, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Hamilton, who lived nearby, was often at her apartment visiting, going to the store for her when it became too difficult, or trying to keep her spirit up. Donna was loving, kind, charming, and unforgettable. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and she will continue to inspire us all. Two quotes that our mother always told us (and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren): “treat others the way you wanted to be treated” and “do not compare yourself to others because for always there will be greater and lesser persons than you.”