So sorry for your loss. Sending hugs and prayers.

Rita was one of the most outgoing people I've ever met.  It seemed like no matter where we were, if there were other people, she was going to try and strike up a conversation.  There didn't even have to be a reason.  Sometimes the reason would be so obscure and derived that only she would understand it.  You would always have to keep an eye out for Rita, and make sure she was still with you, since she would end up at different tables in restaurants and mingling with different crowds.  She had a way with people, and radiated friendliness, goofiness and positivity.  I owe a lot to Rita.  She opened a lot of doors for me, and she always kept me updated on what to do with Nvidia up until her final days.  She will be missed sorely.  

Rita, 54 years of memories.  We met on the school bus when we were both age 14.  As soon as we found out that she had just moved in at the end of our road, we were best friends.  We were friends for most of our lives.  We went to the same middle school and high school.   I would go to football games just to see her in the band.  I envied her beautiful long hair.  Our birthdays were very close together, so we often celebrated them together.  We learned to drive together, party together and chase boys together.  We graduated High School together.  We spent almost every Christmas Eve together.  Then came Glenn, her loving boyfriend.  He was often patient with me as a tag along on Friday nights.  We had a lot of friends.  When I went away to college, Rita and Glenn would come up and visit me.  We tried hard to become adults.   They got married and Rita took college very seriously, putting herself through to get her degree.  Then we were both raising our kids, but we still kept in touch.  We took our 5 kids on trips to Florida, trips to Kings Island, and EBCO picnics at the Columbus Zoo.  She was always the sister that I never had.  As I finish out this life I will miss her sorely.      Jan Stevens

Rita and I became friends while working at Wendy’s International  Corporate Office, Tax Department, and carried on that friendship long after we both left the company. While at Wendy’s, we joined a group called the Miss Fortunes, women who researched and invested in stocks. When the group disbanded, Rita and I took our profits and went to Las Vegas. What fun we had.

We also traveled to New York City and toured the city together.  It was a memorable trip.

Rita was someone I could talk to about difficulties, she didn’t judge or give advice, she just listened.   What a true friend.

We often met for lunch after we both had moved on to other jobs.  We shared stories about our families, traded stock information, and gave each other paper coupons for restaurant deals.  We were both accountants and loved to talk about financial stuff as well.  

We lost touch over the last few years, but I still thought about her often.  I don’t get to Columbus very much but wish I would have asked her out for one more lunch.  Fly high, dear Rita, until we meet again, my friend.

I’m so sorry for your loss.  I worked with Rita at Wendy’s during the time we were starting our families. She was such a wonderful support system as she offered her  wisdom and humor. We had so much fun during our  play dates with our babies and toddlers. I have such fond memories of Rita. 

— with Rita was blown away by the scenery!