Rita Anne (Addesso) Lawson, 89

REHOBOTH BEACH - Rita Anne (Addesso) Lawson, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. She was 89.

She was born Jan. 14, 1919, in New York City, daughter of the late Frank and Virginia (Soldineri) Addesso.

Mrs. Lawson was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was a longtime resident of Rockville, Md., and Rehoboth Beach.

Her love of music took her to Washington, D.C., where she led her trio of musicians in performances at the Statler Hilton Hotel as well as John F. Kennedy's White House in the early 1960s. She continued to play piano at the Congressional Country Club and other venues throughout the Washington area.

She was a member of the American Federation of Musicians and a longstanding member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Norbeck, Md.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert A. Lawson; three sisters; and two brothers.

She is survived by her son, Scott H. Lawson, of Rehoboth Beach; her former daughter-in-law Anita S. Lawson, of Severna Park, Md.; and two granddaughters, Catherine and Sara Lawson, both of Severna Park, Md.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Edmond's

Catholic Church, King Charles and Laurel streets, Rehoboth Beach. Interment will be private.

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 1601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803.

Send online condolences to condolences@parsellfuneralhomes.com.