Rita Franks

Rita (O’Mara) Franks, 92, of Philadelphia, PA passed away on November 1, 2024.

Rita was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1932 to Rody O’Mara and Winifred (Durkin) O’Mara. After graduating from Hallahan High School, she embarked on a career at Girard Bank in Center City Philadelphia where she met her husband Carman J. Franks and started a family. Rita raised her four children in the Germantown and Olney sections of Philadelphia. She later worked for GMAC Mortgage and upon retirement moved to the Gloria Dei Community in Northeast Philadelphia. 

Rita was fortunate to enjoy an extremely healthy 92 years with her friends and family and while age caught up to her, it never dimmed the warm smile and sparkle in her eyes or her devilish sense of humor. She almost always “got the joke”. She had a love-hate relationship with food, making it challenging at times for those that loved her to provide her with a “good hot meal”. She did have a lifelong love and desire to enjoy strawberry ice cream whenever available. As long as it had real strawberries in it, she was good! 

Being fiercely proud of her Irish heritage, Rita was able to take a trip after retirement and visit some of her family and tour Ireland. It was a trip she never forgot and turned out to be one of the many highlights of her life. She spoke of the country, the people and her family often and it brought great joy to her.

Rita took immense joy in her six grandchildren - Michael Franks, William Franks, Andrew Franks, Jessica Phillips, Nicholas Phillips and Sydney Franks, frequently celebrating their talents and achievements. 

She is survived by her brother Edward O’Mara of Huntingdon Valley, PA, her sons, Steven Franks (Kathleen), Christopher Franks (Barbara), Charles Franks and her daughter Angela Phillips (Thomas), as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carman Franks and her brothers, John O’Mara, William O’Mara, Thomas O’Mara and Rody O’Mara. 

Please join the Franks family on Thursday November 7, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Delaware Valley Cremation Center, 7350 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136, for a gathering of remembrance in honoring Rita's life. A life celebration service for her will begin at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Rita.