Rita S (Stewart) Carnes

Rita Stewart Carnes passed away on December 1, 2024, at her home in Pulaski, NY.

Born in 1921 in Pulaski, New York, to Lucille and Rexford P. Stewart, Rita graduated from Pulaski Academy and Central School and majored in education at Oswego State College. She was a teacher at Pulaski Elementary School for 25 years.

Rita was the Christ Our Light Church Historian in Pulaski for many years. Her ancestors, the Clarks and the Cassidys, emigrated to the United States from Ireland, settling on Bridge Street in Pulaski. They were instrumental in founding the Catholic Church in Pulaski, then named St. John the Evangelist.

Rita was pre-deceased by her parents, Lucille and Rexford P. Stewart, husband, John H. Carnes, son John S. Carnes, grandson Andrew P. Carnes, and son-in-law Charles S. Aldinger.

Rita is survived by her children: Margaret Carnes of Washington, DC, James (Celeste) Carnes of Pulaski, daughter-in-law Debra Carnes of Lacona, and cousin Mary Jo Higler of Kokomo, Indiana. She is also survived by grandchildren John (Martha) Carnes, Thomas (Melissa) Carnes, Katherine (Karl) LaGray, Elizabeth (Ron) Bonaccorso, and James A. Carnes, as well as great-grandchildren Cassidy, Kayla, Mary, Jack, Eileen, Shannon, Peter, Andrew, Parker, Charlie, Colin and Simon.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on December 5 at 10 a.m. at Christ Our Light Catholic Church in Pulaski.

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