Rita Michele (Kesterson) Maguire, passed away on July 25th following a courageous, nine -month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 67 years old. 

Rita was born October 6, 1955, in Beech Grove and grew up on the southside of Indianapolis. As the fifth child in a large, Catholic family with 10 children – nine girls and one boy – Rita was at the center of everything.

Her childhood was filled with family activities and sports including intramural kickball, softball, and volleyball and swimming at Lake Shore Country Club and Lake Lemon. She graduated from Roncalli High School in 1974, where she was a drum majorette first class, then attended Indiana University, Bloomington and IUPUI. After graduating from Kelley School of Business with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business, she began a fulfilling career which included roles at Eli Lilly, One America, and most recently, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. 

On August 4, 1979, one of the hottest days on record, she married Joseph Maguire after meeting him at a wedding when she was 18 years old. It can be argued that Rita and Joe may have met at birth as they were born in the same hospital, on the same day and year, and were even baptized on the same day.

Rita shared her passion for sports with her two children, Patrick and Anne, cheering them on in every sport in which they participated and coaching Anne in volleyball. Later, she used her work ethic, competitive spirit and determination to complete many half marathons and four marathons.

She especially loved spending time with her grandsons, Connor and Peter, and was their biggest cheerleader. She held them when they were sick, made them laugh, played catch with them, and attended as many baseball, soccer and basketball games as possible. They brought her tremendous joy, and she will continue to cheer them on from heaven throughout their lives.

Rita is preceded in death by her parents, John and Rita Kesterson; nephew, Jonathan Holbrook; and niece, Michele Bueno. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Joseph Maguire; her children, Patrick (Kristin) Maguire and Anne; grandchildren, Connor and Peter Maguire; siblings: Helen (Beth Yates) Kesterson; Kathleen (Daniel) Morrison; Diana Jean Kesterson; Therese (Lawrence) Holbrook; Joyce (Steve) Burke; Patricia (Charles) Souhrada; Karen Bueno; John (Ann) Kesterson; and Mary (Jamey) Smith, her aunt Sister James Michael Kesterson, S.P.,  and many nieces and nephews. 

The family wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to the dedicated healthcare workers who cared for Rita, with special thanks to Dr. Christopher Leagre, Dr. Colleen Brown, and many caregivers at Ascension St. Vincent, IU Health, and Paradigm Hospice.

Rita was a devoted member of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Rita was committed to keeping a Christian presence in downtown Indianapolis. She requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Visitation will be held at O’Riley Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis, on Sunday, July 30 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 126 W. Georgia Street, Indianapolis, on Monday, July 31, 2023 at 1:30 PM. 

Please visit www.OrileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.