WILMINGTON — Rita M. Pence, aged 84, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025. She was born on February 23, 1940, in Pittsburgh, PA. Rita was a devoted sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, renowned for her warmth, creativity, and adventurous spirit.
Throughout her life, Rita embraced numerous roles, including stay-at-home mom, ceramic business owner, color consultant, and doctor’s office manager. Her varied careers were a testament to her adaptability and relentless pursuit of new experiences.
Rita was a talented artist, known for her stained glass and multi-media artwork. She also had a love for travel that began at the age of 21 with a trip to Paris with friends and lasted throughout her lifetime. In addition to living in Jamaica and South Korea with her family, Rita’s wanderlust led her to explore Egypt, China, Italy, and many corners of Europe. She also traveled extensively within the United States, with her last journey being a spiritual retreat to Santa Fe, New Mexico in March 2024.
A passionate practitioner of New Age spirituality, Rita was deeply involved in Reiki, crystal healing, and drum circles. She cherished her time with her siblings, children, grandchildren and new great-grandchildren. She was a loving and loyal friend who dedicated her life to bringing light and love into the world.
Rita attended Trinity United Methodist Church. An advocate of lifelong learning, she returned to college as an adult and proudly graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 1993.
Rita was predeceased by her second husband, Dr. James Jerome Pence Jr., who passed on October 4, 2022. She is survived by her three children: Robin Eberhart, Matt (Liz) Eberhart, and Lynn (Spencer) Webster, nine grandchildren: Aspen, Jenna, Luke, Nick, Macy, Ansley, Meredith, Campbell, Ally, and two great-grandchildren: Madeline and Addilyn.
Rita’s vibrant spirit, compassionate heart, and boundless creativity will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 18 at 3:00pm with a service following at 4:00pm in Andrews Market Street Chapel.
