Rise Mary Chontos

Rise Mary Chontos, age 78, of Elizabeth, PA, died on Thursday, October 29, 2026. She was born in Glassport, PA, on April 3, 1948, and was the daughter of the late Andrew, Sr. and Ethel Yesenski Rusnak. Rise was the owner and operator of In Care of Cats Sanctuary and has been helping non-adoptable cats since 1978. She was also the proprietor of Feline Resource Center, which takes in cats and adopts out healthy cats, as well as Fallen Timber Pet Cemetery in Elizabeth, PA. These are charitable organizations dedicated to feline welfare that provide cat intake, rehabilitation, and compassionate care. She was an animal lover, pet parent, and pet rescue/cemetery proprietor.

Rise is survived by her husband, Leonard Chontos; and three children.

In addition to her parents, Rise is preceded in death by her siblings, Elizabeth Gombita; Carol Homesly; and Andrew Rusnak, Jr.; and beloved German Shepherds, Timber; and KimberWoof.

The family is requesting donations for Rise’s funeral, which may be made at the following link: www.empathy-funding.com/206/4087/Chontos

Burial has taken place at Round Hill Cemetery in Elizabeth, PA. Arrangements are being cared for Strifflers of White Oak Cremation & Mortuary Services, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Funeral Directors, Sue Striffler Galaski, Supervisor, and Adam Striffler Galaski, 412-678-6177).

To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com