Rita Sanders, age 64 of Edwardsville, passed away Friday, February 13, 2026 at home, following an unexpected house fire.

She was born in Dallas, TX on January 6, 1962 and was the daughter of the late Glenn Gee and Carol Taylor.

Rita had been employed as an accountant for many years. She enjoyed traveling and living in different locations. Rita had a great love of animals, especially cats. This led her to start her own cat rescue service, Second Chance for Strays; she lived and died for them.

In addition to her parents, Rita is preceded in death by her soulmate, Levan.

She is survived by her son, Shawn Joyce of New York; granddaughter, Bella Carol; sisters, Anne Neaus of Berwick and Rose Karasek of Sweet Valley; several nephews and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of Routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a GoFundMe fundraiser at https://gofund.me/cee5194cb

Online condolences may be made to clswansonfuneralhome.com