PIKE, MARY RITA, 87, of Jeffersontown, KY, joined her heavenly Father on Monday, April 25, 2011, with family by her side.
She was born August 6, 1923 and was the daughter of Bernard J. and Ida J. Minch Frankrone.
Mary Rita attended high school at Ursuline Academy and also attended the University of Louisville and Jefferson Community College. Over the course of her life, she wore many hats. She was a retired real estate broker and previously worked for the Department of Labor and the University of Michigan. She also served as associate editor of The Kentucky Labor News, which was published in the 1940s and 1950s.
She shared and fostered her love of gardening as a founding member of the Rock Creek Garden Club and as a member and past president of the Beautification League of Louisville at Nunnlea. (Someone once said that she can make plants grow just by looking at them.) She was also a member of the Louisville Bar Association Ladies Auxiliary and the Jeffersontown Chapter 1100, Women of the Moose. St. Edward Catholic Church was blessed to have her as a member of its parish for more than 50 years.
As a member of the Catholic Theatre Guild, Mary Rita derived great pleasure in taking on various roles in many stage productions. She was an avid bridge and poker player, and she also enjoyed word games and puzzles. It has been said that she "takes no prisoners" in Boggle. She will always be remembered as a woman of strength and integrity, possessing a sharp wit and sense of humor.
Her husband of 56 years, Joseph P. Pike, Sr.; a daughter, Judith Ann Pike,; and sisters, Helen Shaffner, Dorothy Mattingly, Angela Kingsbury, and Eunice Mullins, preceded her in death.
Mary Rita is survived by her children, Joseph P. Pike, Jr. (Gloria) of Edgewood, KY, Susan Seabold (Christopher), Alan Pike (Mary Ellen), Julia Pike, Caroline Pike, all of Louisville, and Donna Dockery (John) of Southaven, MS. She is also survived by a brother, Leonard Frankrone; and a sister, Ruth Habenstein, both of Louisville; 11 grandchildren, Lauren Pike Mullins (Matt), Jeffrey Pike (Andrea), Taryn Pike Skees (Ricky), Randall and Emily Pike, Sarah and Matthew Seabold, Lawrence, Mary Kate, Patrick and Bridget Dockery; and six great-grandchildren, Andrew and Ben Pike, Lilly and Avery Mullins, and Ethan and Aiden Skees.
A prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Edward Catholic Church, 9610 Sue Helen Drive at 11 a.m. Saturday, with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Friday at Highlands Funeral Home.
Expressions of sympathy: St. Vincent de Paul Society or St. Edward Church.

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