Rita Hofmeister, born in Chicago, Illinois, was raised in a close-knit Catholic family surrounded by her siblings and extended relatives. She often fondly recalled her childhood, especially the joyful moments spent playing piano with her sister Maryann and brother Joe, and the many stories of “growing up with Granner,” her lovingly remembered – if occasionally cranky – grandmother.Rita graduated from Notre Dame High School, where she began to discover her lifelong love of cooking and fine food while working at a local bakery. Her passion for baking became one of her many gifts to those around her, most famously through her beloved pie crust, which became a staple at family gatherings for years.