Marguerita "Rita" (Southgate) Applebee

Marguerita "Rita" Applebee passed peacefully at home in Port Byron, with her family at her side on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

Born in 1933 outside of London, England, as a young girl during World War II, she and her family moved to Dersingham in Norfolk England. It was here that she met her husband, Former U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Harry Applebee. They were married for 43 years before he predeceased her in April of 2000. Rita embraced the life of a military wife moving from England to California, Hawaii, Maryland, Long Island and finally settling in Port Byron in 1970. Although she quickly became part of the village, she was always proud to be from England and loved her daily cup of tea and her Friday fish and chips. She was employed several years in the Port Byron School District serving meals to the children of the district. It was here that she made friends that lasted her a lifetime. 

She gave back to the community in several ways. She volunteered as a leader in the Girl Scouts of America and over the years she knitted hundreds of prayer shawls and blankets that were donated to local hospitals and churches. She was an active member of the Port Byron Senior Citizens. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, baking (cake decorating), card making, cross-stitch, quilting, word puzzles, as well as watching tennis, golf, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

More than anything, she loved spending time with her family and will be dearly missed.

Devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she leaves behind her son, Richard (Eileen) Applebee; daughter Jo-Anna (Danny) Wilson; grandsons, John (Fiancé Michele) Applebee and Paul (Kathy) Applebee; and great grandson, Brodrick Applebee.  She also leaves behind her family in England; brother, Donald (Bing) Southgate; nephews, Robert Southgate and Jonathan Southgate and niece, Julie-Ann Southgate.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her mother, Alice Southgate, brother, Bob Southgate, several brother and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Rita wanted us to acknowledge all the friends that gave her a ride. She never drove, and because of your kindness, you opened her life to friends and a community that enriched her life. She was and we are so grateful.

Special thanks to Bonnie Warrick, Toni Smart, Kim Fey, Misti and Gracee White, and the Hospice team that cared for her.

Calling hours will be conducted this Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the White Chapel Funeral Home, 2719 Erie Drive, Weedsport. A funeral service will follow at 4:00 pm in the funeral home.  

Contributions may be made in memory of Rita to the Port Byron Senior Citizens: 14 Sponable Drive (PO Box 798), Port Byron, NY 13140.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marguerita "Rita" (Southgate) Applebee, please visit our floral store.