Rita V. Gruver, 78, of Wilkes-Barre, passed on Saturday, May 6, 2023, while in the care of The Gardens at Wyoming Valley, Wilkes-Barre.

Born in Kingston on January 26, 1945, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Sr. and Eleanor Yozwiak Slabinski. Rita grew up in the Hudson section of Plains Township and attended local schools and was a graduate of the Plains Memorial High School, class of 1962.

She found employment working in the local garment industry as a seamstress, and also at Leslie Fay.

In 1965, Rita met and fell in love with Donald Gruver. On May 10, 1969, they were married. Together their lives were filled with riding bicycles, going on trips to Atlantic City, or a night out dancing at the Brass Rail or the Silver Queen. Rita and Donald were enjoying life and they just celebrated their tenth anniversary when tragedy took Donald on July 14, 1979.

Rita carried on with her life, but she truly missed Donald. In time, she found companionship with her pet dogs over the years and she loved them like children. In 2010, Rita met a Mr. Robert Matkins and they found companionship with each other for the last twelve years. Again tragedy struck both Rita and Robert, in the last year with Robert passing on February 3, 2022.

Rita’s health in the last few months took a turn for the worse, but the Staff at the Gardens made sure she was comfortable and well taken care of for which her family is eternally grateful.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Sr. and Eleanor; husband Donald; companion Robert; brothers Richard and William

Rita is survived by her brother Thomas Slabinski Jr, Plains; sister Sandra Slabinski-Dennis, Plains; nieces and nephews April Slabinski; Randy Keener; Tammy Conahan; and her extended family.

A Blessing service with the Rite of Committal will be held on Monday, May 14, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in the Mount Olivet Cemetery Chapel, 612 Mount Olivet Road, Wyoming. Service will be led by Deacon Donald Crane. Interment will follow in the cemetery.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., Plains Twp.