Rita M. (O'Gara) Mayer

Rita Mae (O'Gara) Mayer, born in Indianapolis, IN on May 26, 1935, to the late Thomas and Margaret McGinley O'Gara, first generation immigrants from County Donegal, Ireland, passed away on October 30, 2014 at 79 years of age. Rita attended and graduated from both St. Philip Neri Catholic Grade School and St. Mary's Academy, before moving into the workforce for 35+ years. She worked for the New York Central, Penn Central and CONRAIL rail lines for many years. She served as the Executive Assistant to the Industrial Development Department for Mr. Hank Lauthen and Bob Ahearn for the bulk of her years with the railroad. In 1960, Rita married Richard F. Mayer, son of Frank and Stella Mayer, all of Indianapolis, IN. After retiring from the railroad, Rita worked tirelessly and helped Dick build and grow the family business, then known as George L. Paetz & Sons, now known in the United States and internationally, as Mayer Fabrics, a 117 year old, family owned and operated fabric distributorship. She was a 50+ year member of Little Flower Catholic Church, where she participated in the PTO, as a Room Mother, Bridge Club and Mercy Meal Programs. Mom so enjoyed her daily crossword puzzles, visiting with sisters and nieces over "breakfast at Aggies," multiple trips to Ireland to visit her family's home, which still stands and is lived in by her cousin, a few trips to Rome, the Vatican, Paris, France and many other European cities. She also enjoyed spring break with family and other family vacations. Mom was a "relentless shopper and coupon-clipper." Some said she was the Most Valuable Customer at both Kohl's and Macy's. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Richard F. "Dick" Mayer and their five children, Richard F. (Cathy) Mayer, Jr., Robert T. (Theresa) Mayer, Michael K. (Debbie) Mayer, Stephen T. (Lisa) Mayer, and Michele A. (Mayer) Dunn; her sister, Kathleen White; her brother, Thomas (Jeanne) O'Gara; in-laws, Norma O'Gara, Delores Mayer Conner, Dorothy Mayer (James) Catton, and Joann Mayer (William) Johnson; 10 grandchildren, Matthew, Bryan, Jeremy Tunny, Ryan Tunny, Margaret "Maggie", Michael, Mason, Zachary, Andrew and Kaitlin; and one great-grandchild, Nolan Tunny. Rita was preceded in death by sisters, Mary Agnes "Aggie" and her husband William Branson, Margaret "Gitzie" and her husband Thomas "Tucker" Reckley, her brother, Charles O'Gara, her brothers-in-law, Leo White and Thomas Conner and daughter in law Vicki Lynn (Menish) Mayer. Calling for family and friends will be on Monday, November 3, from 2 PM - 8 PM at Flanner and Buchanan- Washington Park East Community Life Center, 10612 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, November 4 at 10:30 AM at Little Flower Catholic Church, 4720 E. 13th Street (corner of 13th and Bosart Avenue), with visitation from 8:30-10:30 AM at the church. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Little Flower Catholic Church or St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 550 N. Rural Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201. A tribute to Rita's life may be viewed online at www.flannerbuchanan.com, where condolences may be shared with her family.