Rita Sophia Graffi, 85, passed February 8, 2017 at the Samaritan Keep Nursing Home where she has been a resident.
The funeral service will be held 5 p.m. Saturday, February 11 at the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home 117 N. Massey St., Watertown with Pastor Paul D. Luisi officiating.
Calling hours will be 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, February 11 at the funeral home.
Burial will be in the N. Watertown Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Born on September 5, 1931 in Watertown, daughter of Samuel and Sofia (Spooner) Klee, she graduated from Watertown High School in 1949. She then graduated in 1952 from the House of the Good Samaritan School of Nursing as a registered nurse.
In 1952 she went to work at the House of the Good Samaritan and worked beside Dr. Nelson in the operating room for several years. In 1979 she worked at the Samaritan Keep Nursing Home up until she retired in 1994.
She married Johann Graffi Jr. of Watertown on December 29, 1956 at the Concordia Lutheran Church with Rev. Vogt. officiating. Mr. Graffi was a mechanic at Town Motors and retired from the NJ National Guard at Fort Drum.
Rita was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church and she and her husband enjoyed spending summers at their cottage in Hy Knoll.
Among her survivors are son and daughter and law, John M. and Karen Graffi, Felts Mills; a daughter and son in law, Gerald and Linda M. Brotherton, Watertown; a brother, Samuel R. Klee , Brentwood, Long Island; a sister and a brothers in law, Mary Alice Barkley, PA, Leonard Edus, Watertown ; three granddaughters and their husbands, Amanda and Sean Santucci, Jessica and Jeffrey Bukowski, Alicia and Greg Eddy; a grandson, Adam John Brotherton, three great granddaughters and three great grandsons, Sophia, Gianna, Jack, Jace, Mariella and Garrison; several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents she is predeceased by her husband, Johann Graffi, a sister Betty J. Edus and a brother in law, Christopher Barkley.
Donations may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church or Samaritan Keep Nursing Home Resident Fund.
Online condolences may be made at www.hartandbrucefh.com