Rita J. Mercado, 74 of the Nativity section of Scranton, passed away Tuesday morning, February 9, 2016 at Geisinger Mountain View Care Center, Scranton.

Born in the Miners Mills section of Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Stanley E. and Marie R. (Hale) Zimmerman.

Rita was a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre, Class of 1959 and was employed in the garment industry. She was a member of St. John Neuman Parish at Nativity Church, Scranton. Rita had a wonderful sense of humor and her spontaneous one-liners will always be remembered. She was a lover of all animals and will be truly missed by all that loved her.

She was preceded in death by her brother Jack Zimmerman, and her sister Anne Marie Gurnari.

Surviving are her daughters Christine Giannetta and her husband Michael, Moscow, and maria Brower and her husband Gary, Scranton, grandchildren Samantha, Gary, David, and Michael, and her great-granddaughter Lily.

Rita’s daughters would like to thank the staff at Geisinger mountain View Care Center for their wonderful care of their mother. They would also like to give a special Thank You to Frank & Cindy Gervasi and Billy and Sue Burke for their kindness shown toward their mother.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 12, 2016 at 10:00 am at St. John Neuman Parish at Nativity Church, 633 Orchard Street Scranton, PA 18505 with Father Michael Bryant, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Twp. Family and friends may call Friday morning at the church from 9:00 am until the time of the funeral mass.

Memorial donations may be made to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter 967 Griffin Pond Road South Abington Township, PA 18411.