Rita M. Van Grinsven

Rita M. Van Grinsven (nee Aldrich), 93, passed away November 7 in Malvern PA. Rita was born in Framingham MA to Olney (“Bob”) and Mary (Clancy) Aldrich and spent her childhood in Milford MA with her younger brother Bob, attending Milford High School and Becker College in Worcester MA. She moved to Schenectady NY to begin her secretarial career at General Electric where she met the love of her life, Martin Van Grinsven (“Van”) – and they were married 57 years. Rita, Van and their four children moved several times, ending up back in the Schenectady area. After Van’s retirement from GE they set off on a four-year trailering adventure, searching for a retirement spot, settling on Naples FL. They had 19 wonderful years in Naples with many visitors, lots of golf and even a hole-in-one for Rita! After Van’s death in 2009 Rita moved to the Philadelphia area. 

Rita was known for her deep Catholic faith, her Boston accent, great cooking and incredible smile. She had a special love for children and seniors, working and volunteering in nursing and elder care facilities for many years. Throughout her own challenges with dementia, she charmed family, friends and caregivers and got great joy from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Rita is survived by her four children, Mark (Nancy), Mary Foley, Paul (Doreen) and John (Bonnie), eight grandchildren (Julie Baker, Patrick, Tom, Andrea, Allison and Christopher Van Grinsven and Van and Colleen Foley) and six great-grandchildren (Maura & Lucy Baker, Emily, Finn, Lincoln and Stefan Van Grinsven.)

Friends and family are welcome to celebrate Rita’s life at 11:00 AM on Saturday December 3 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 104 Channing Avenue, Malvern PA followed by a funeral Mass at 12:00 Noon. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to a charitable cause special to you or your family that best honors Rita’s virtues.