Rita Mary Dwyer
January 31, 1934 ~ June 24, 2022
Rita Mary Dudak Dwyer passed away on June 24, 2022 at her assisted living facility in Fairfax, VA following a long illness.
Rita was born in Hibernia, New Jersey on January 31st, 1934 to George S. Dudak and Mary M. Dudak (nee Luba). She excelled in school both at her high school, Academy of Saint Elizabeth, and later in her college years at College of Saint Elizabeth. She studied Chemistry in college and later took a job in 1956 at Reaction Motors Inc. (RMI), an early American maker of liquid-fueled rocket engines, located in Rockaway, New Jersey.
At Reaction Motors, Rita put her chemistry knowledge to use researching experimental rocket propellants in the lab. Rita was one female chemist working amongst 75 men. She received a number of patents for her innovative chemical compounds.
In 1959, Rita was involved in an explosion in the lab where she was severely burned in the resulting fire. After numerous plastic surgeries and months in the hospital, she recovered and was determined to still aim high and make a difference for people. During the fire, Rita’s life was saved by a man who had dreamed repeatedly of the fire and how he would save her well before it actually happened. The revelation of his precognitive dream and the fact that her life was saved by it, led her to the study of dreams and dream therapy. Rita was a co-founder of IASD, the International Association of the Study of Dreams. Her work in that arena, coupled with the pastoral counseling degree she later earned with her church allowed her to provide support and kindness to many people who were in need of her guidance.
In 1963, Rita married James (Jim) W. Dwyer of Chateaugay, NY. Jim also worked at Reaction Motors as a Physicist. Together they moved to Vienna, VA and raised three children.
Rita was a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was the family cheerleader and event planner. Whether it was beach trips, ski trips, birthday parties, swim meets, or silent auctions at her church, Rita was there directing the fun and making everyone smile and enjoy life.
Rita is survived by her husband of 59 years, James, her three children Michael Dwyer (wife Piedad Hoyos Dwyer), Damian (wife Lynda Allen Dwyer) and Dulcie Miller (husband Mark Miller). Rita is also survived by her 10 grandchildren: Kathleen Dwyer Maurer (husband Anthony Maurer), Sophia Dwyer, Genevieve Dwyer, Jacquelin Dwyer, Claire Dwyer, Adelaide Dwyer, Mason Mahmud, Shane Mahmud, Christian Mahmud and Marcus Miller, and also one very special great-grandson, Giovanni Maurer. She also leaves behind her beloved siblings as well as many other living family and friends.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations are made to the organization “So Others Might Eat”.
A wake will be held at Money and King Funeral Home in Vienna VA on Tuesday, June 28th from 6:00pm-8:00pm. A funeral mass and burial will be at a later date in Chateaugay, NY.
Rita was born in Hibernia, New Jersey on January 31st, 1934 to George S. Dudak and Mary M. Dudak (nee Luba). She excelled in school both at her high school, Academy of Saint Elizabeth, and later in her college years at College of Saint Elizabeth. She studied Chemistry in college and later took a job in 1956 at Reaction Motors Inc. (RMI), an early American maker of liquid-fueled rocket engines, located in Rockaway, New Jersey.
At Reaction Motors, Rita put her chemistry knowledge to use researching experimental rocket propellants in the lab. Rita was one female chemist working amongst 75 men. She received a number of patents for her innovative chemical compounds.
In 1959, Rita was involved in an explosion in the lab where she was severely burned in the resulting fire. After numerous plastic surgeries and months in the hospital, she recovered and was determined to still aim high and make a difference for people. During the fire, Rita’s life was saved by a man who had dreamed repeatedly of the fire and how he would save her well before it actually happened. The revelation of his precognitive dream and the fact that her life was saved by it, led her to the study of dreams and dream therapy. Rita was a co-founder of IASD, the International Association of the Study of Dreams. Her work in that arena, coupled with the pastoral counseling degree she later earned with her church allowed her to provide support and kindness to many people who were in need of her guidance.
In 1963, Rita married James (Jim) W. Dwyer of Chateaugay, NY. Jim also worked at Reaction Motors as a Physicist. Together they moved to Vienna, VA and raised three children.
Rita was a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was the family cheerleader and event planner. Whether it was beach trips, ski trips, birthday parties, swim meets, or silent auctions at her church, Rita was there directing the fun and making everyone smile and enjoy life.
Rita is survived by her husband of 59 years, James, her three children Michael Dwyer (wife Piedad Hoyos Dwyer), Damian (wife Lynda Allen Dwyer) and Dulcie Miller (husband Mark Miller). Rita is also survived by her 10 grandchildren: Kathleen Dwyer Maurer (husband Anthony Maurer), Sophia Dwyer, Genevieve Dwyer, Jacquelin Dwyer, Claire Dwyer, Adelaide Dwyer, Mason Mahmud, Shane Mahmud, Christian Mahmud and Marcus Miller, and also one very special great-grandson, Giovanni Maurer. She also leaves behind her beloved siblings as well as many other living family and friends.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations are made to the organization “So Others Might Eat”.
A wake will be held at Money and King Funeral Home in Vienna VA on Tuesday, June 28th from 6:00pm-8:00pm. A funeral mass and burial will be at a later date in Chateaugay, NY.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I only met Rita once but never forgot her. I looked forward to meeting her again. Wasn’t to be, unless I ever qualify for a visit to the upper realms. My heart goes out to those of you who knew her well. Love Tony Hawkins
When I first joined the International Association for the Study of Dreams in 1997, I was under great personal and professional stress. Rita kindly took me under her wing and helped me to use my dreams to move beyond that period. I have always thought of her as the “mother” of the organization, and her clear and wise insights will greatly be missed.
Rita and I traveled to many IASD conferences and Board meetings together, beginning early in IASD history. I have many good memories of dream sharing, of good fun and of enjoying the surrounding areas of the beautiful locations IASD hosted their conferences, including Hawaii, the Netherlands, a beautiful afternoon with a musician at Stonehenge, hiking outside of Santa Fe, Virginia Beach walks and a group meditation and candlelight group walk up to the Tor in Glastonbury. Rita was for many years the “heart” of IASD. We cohosted a very popular workshop on Spirituality and Dreams for a number of years. She called me “Fern” and I called her “Rosemary”. I believe those were the names of our respective rooms in a Glastonbury B and B. Rita’s many kindnesses to others were well known. She always had a good word for everyone, and tirelessly served IASD for many years. She eventually pulled back so she could attend to her family which included many grandchildren. Her presence has been missed over the years of her illness — and now no doubt with her big heart and desire to serve she is busy ministering in Heaven with her Lord.