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In memory of

Rita Noella DuVernay

Hacienda Heights, Ca

December 25, 1926 - May 5, 2020

Dec 25, 1926 - May 5, 2020

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Rita Noella DuVernay passed away on May 5, 2020 surrounded by family. Rita was born in New Orleans, La on 12/25/1926 to Antonia and Orthman Townsend. She was their eldest daughter and the last surviving child of eight siblings. Rita married Virgil H. DuVernay on March 19, 1948. Together,they had four children. In the summer of 1959 they moved their family to Los Angeles, Ca. Because of Virgil's addiction to alcohol, Rita divorced him in 1964 and became a single mom and sole supporter of her children. Rita was determined to make a better life for herself and her children. In 1967 she purchased a home in Hacienda Heights and that's where she resided until 2018 before moving into the House of Grace board and care in Claremont, Ca.
Rita worked as an upholstery seamstress and was an exceptional dress maker. She made beautiful, custom fitted wedding gowns and formal attire. She also enjoyed participating in China painting classes, computer classes, crochet, needlepoint, gardening and sewing for her family, friends and neighbors. Rita was a proud member of St John Vianney parish in Hacienda Heights for 51 years where she could be found after Sunday masses working in the Gift Shop. Rita is survived by her four children, Dr Virgil DuVernay Jr of Orville, CA, Jeanne(Tony) Ambriz of West Covina, CA, Sheila(Robert) Nedelcoff of Irvine, CA and Raynell(Kenneth) McCormack of Union, OR. Rita will be missed by her 9 grandchildren, Tony Ambriz Jr, Gabriella Davis, Nichole Palacios, Tiffany Gillett, Christina Winder, Seth DuVernay, Megan Nativo, Elise DuVernay and Nicholas DuVernay , along with her 7 great-grandchildren, Heath Davis, Benjamin Davis,Hailey Winder, Brooklyn Winder, Aiden Palacios, Isabella Gillett and Saul DuVernay.

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