Rita Schlotzhauer Petitt

Rita Schlotzhauer Petitt, of Easton, beloved wife, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was 81. Born to the late Henry A. Schlotzhauer and Clara Neal, Rita was born in Easton, where she lived her entire life. A 1960 graduate of Easton High School, she married the love of her life, Martin “Buzz” Petitt, Jr., on February 1, 1964. They were married until his death on May 6, 1986. After graduation, Rita went to work at the Star Democrat and Bayshore Foods before working in the real estate offices of Bud Wood Realty. It was here that Rita discovered her love of real estate. She and Buzz eventually opened Petitt Realty, opening an office on Goldsborough Street. Even after Buzz’s passing, Rita continued to be a determined businesswoman and eventually transitioned from being a realtor to expanding her business into Petitt Enterprises. Rita owned and managed over two dozen rental properties in the Easton/Talbot County area and continued to run the day-to-day activities of her company up until a few months before her passing. Rita enjoyed everything about living on the Eastern Shore and had an eye for photography, using her love of waterfowl to become an exhibitor at Easton’s Waterfowl Festival for a number of years. She and Buzz had an aviary at their home on Landing Neck Road, where many of the subjects of her photography were raised. Like her brothers, she had a fondness for horses and enjoyed going to rodeos and trail rides with her brother, Kenny. Rita could be seen throughout town every day, often running to places like the Neighborhood Service Center so she could deliver food to her tenants who needed it. Rita also loved her family deeply and was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to all who knew and loved her. Her generous nature was evident to anyone who knew her. In addition to her husband and parents, Rita is predeceased by her older brothers, William “Bill” Schlotzhauer and Edward “Eddie” Schlotzhauer. She is survived by her beloved brother, Kenny Schlotzhauer, and his wife Nadia, of Easton, a special Goddaughter and niece Kathy (Billy) Moore of Cordova; brother Phillip and his wife Debbie of Beaufort, S.C.; several nieces, Karen (Kevin) Brown, Kristy (Kevin) George, all of Easton; Angie (Kurt) Kruse of San Antonio, Texas, and Terry Perry of Dunnellon, Fl. She is also survived by her nephew Phillip Schlotzhauer Jr. and his wife Christine, also of Beaufort. In addition to her brothers, nieces, and nephews, she is survived by a number of great nieces and nephews; Danielle (Jason) Toth of Ridgely, Noelle (Brett) Harris of Havelock, N.C., Jackie and Abby Roper of San Antonio, Tanner Perry of Dunnellon, Noah and Nathan George of Easton. She is also survived by great-great nieces Emerson and Camryn Toth of Ridgely, Lainey Harris of Havelock, and Aubrey Mae Perry of Dunnellon. and a great-great nephew, Bentley Harris, of Havelock. She also leaves behind her beloved canine companion, Blu. A gathering will take place at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cordova, MD from 1-3pm on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Following the gathering, there will be a memorial service starting at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Talbot Humane or the Neighborhood Service Center.

Rita Schlotzhauer Petitt

November 13, 1942 - February 12, 2024