Rita Watts Zehner

Rita Lorraine Watts Zehner, 95, of Lanham, MD, passed away peacefully in the early hours of August 22nd, 2026; following her beloved husband Gene of 71 years into eternal life with God.

She was born in Washington, D.C. on April 10th, 1931, to Florence Lusby Watts and Hugh Aloysius Watts. They lived happily on Longfellow Street in D.C. for many years. She attended Nativity Catholic Academy only a few blocks from their home and graduated from a local high school in DC.

On April 19th, 1952, Rita married Eugene ‘Gene’ Michael Zehner. They built their home together on Dubarry Ave in Lanham, MD, and went on to raise 4 sons in that home.

Rita was a hardworking, truly dedicated mother and a devout Catholic. She attended St. Matthias Catholic Church in Lanham, MD, since its inception in 1960. She joined many clubs, especially within the church, as she loved to socialize and share her faith. She truly embodied the concept of charity. If your gate broke, she would send her husband and sons to fix it for you. If you were hungry, she would feed you. Dinner was not ‘family only’ time, though she made family get togethers a frequent habit to show that loved ones always come first. Once her boys were grown and had their own lives, Rita got a job working as a secretary at a wheelchair manufacturing company with one of her neighbors as part of a personal plan to establish her own credit, buy a car and then further that credit in an era when homemakers did not get to share credit history with their husbands.

Rita and Gene lived the rest of their lives in the home they built together on Dubarry Ave. It will always be remembered as a beautiful and spirited home just as they will be remembered as having been beautiful and spirited people.

Rita is survived by four sons; Donald (MaryAnn) Zehner, David Zehner, Mickey (Sharon) Zehner, Jimmy Zehner (Bev Minnick); two granddaughters Lissah Zehner and Maddy Zehner (Cory Gilbert); nephew Martin (Wynee) Zehner; niece Elaine Zehner; plus many more loved ones and friends that are simply too numerous to list.

There will be Visitation, from 6 to 8 PM, on Monday August 31st at Beall Funeral home (6512 Crain Hwy, Bowie, MD 20715), and a second Visitation, from 10 to 11 AM, on Tuesday September 1st at Saint Matthias Catholic Church (9475 Annapolis Rd, Lanham, MD 20706). Mass will follow at 11 AM. Interment will follow at St. John’s Forrest Glenn Cemetery (9700 Rosensteel Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910). Repast and Remembrance will be held across the street from the cemetery at the Knights of Columbus – Rosensteel Hall (9707 Rosensteel Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Rita’s name to St. Matthias the Apostle Catholic Church stmatthias.org (9475 Annapolis Rd, Lanham, MD 20706).