RITA MARIE (MALDENEY) BRINKER, of Fort Wayne, died Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. Born Aug. 22, 1945 in Fort Wayne, Ind., she was a daughter of the late Edward and Lillian (Bopp) Maldeney. She graduated from Bishop Luers High School in 1963. She worked at Lincoln National Life Ins. Co from 1963-1968. On Sept. 23, 1967, she married Joseph R. Brinker at St. Joseph Hessen Cassel Catholic Church. She was a stay-at-home mother to their 3 daughters where she was an amazing Girl Scout leader, seamstress, slumber party coordinator and created life-long memories. She had a passion for collecting recipes and enjoyed traveling to National Parks and waterfalls. Later, Rita began making pies at Country Cook’n which led her to become store manager. She ran her own daycare where she loved and cared for children. She didn’t necessarily understand the game of football, yet enjoyed ushering Notre Dame Football games with her husband. She was creative and made beautiful wedding cakes filled with love for her daughters’ weddings. Education was a priority and she ensured her daughters had a college degree. She was the world’s best grandma and devoted her time to caring for her grandchildren and making happy memories. Rita was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and previously St. Therese Church where she formed lifelong bonds through her Christ Renews his Parish (CHRP team group #2) which met monthly for 36 years. She was a cancer warrior and caretaker to many throughout her life. She filled our hearts with love and will be immeasurably missed. Survivors include daughters, Joann (Joe) Brinker-Mannelly of Savage, MN., Lillian (Michael) Morris of Cicero, IN., Kimberly (Eric) Knittle of Fort Wayne; six grandchildren, Edward, Joseph and Jack Morris, all of Cicero, and Autumn, Owen and Andie Knittle; all of Fort Wayne; She was also preceded in death by her husband Joseph Robert Brinker of 51 years on 7/26/19; father Edward and mother Lillian; sister Marjorie (Stan) Nicholson; brothers, Richard (Ruth) Maldeney and Maurice (Joyce) Maldeney. Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Thursday, Sepember 5, 2019, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1502 East Wallen Road, Fort Wayne, with visitation at 9 a.m. prior to the funeral Mass. Visitation also from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at FairHaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 6557 N. Clinton St. Burial will take place at Marion National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Masses or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.fairhavenfortwayne.com