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Rita was born on January 22, 1941 in the old Dominican Hospital to Allen G. Wilson, Sr. and Louise Marie Miglierini Maracci Wilson, in Santa Cruz, where she lived the entirety of her life.
She had an older brother, Ralph Maracci and sister, Charlotte Ann Wilson Carroll.
She has two younger brothers: Allen G. Wilson,Jr. and Donald K. Wilson.
Rita attended Mission Hill from kindergarden to ninth grade, then Santa Cruz High, graduating in 1958. She later enrolled in San Jose University, before leaving early to marry her first husband, Ross E. Murray, with whom she had two children: Scott W. Murray and Jennifer L. Murray Smead. After the dissolution of her first marriage, Rita married Silvio F. Rifesi with whom she had two children: Josephine L. Rifesi and Louis A. Rifesi.
Rita spent sixty years as a devoted member of T.T.T., a nonprofit which had fundraisers in order to send girls to camp.
She attended several local churches and felt home most recently at High Street Community.
Rita is predeceased by her older brother Ralph, her older sister Charlotte(and her husband Frank Carroll), and her youngest son Louis Rifesi.
Rita is survived by her brothers: Allen G. Wilson and his wife Juanita and their daughter Stephanie; Donald K. Wilson and his wife Sandelle Bradshaw; son and daughter-in-law Scott and Connie Murray and their daughter Elena; daughter Jenn and her husband Robert Smead and their three children: Jessye Smead Hopkins (and husband Will), Natalie Smead and Justin Smead (spouse Hayden and children Genesis and Benji Montoya (Rita's great-grandchildren). Rita is also survived by her daughter Josephine Rifesi; as well as by grandchildren Katriana (Ash) Rifesi Vanden Beukel (spouse Ryan) and Gavin Rifesi (partner Sierra Kegg), Louis's two children. Rita is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and several distant cousins.
Services will be held at High Street Community Church on Saturday, August 30th at 10:30am, refreshments to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to either Ronald McDonald House Charities, Bay Area Chapter, or the National T.T.T. Society, or a nonprofit/charity of your choice.
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Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
At Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, we have provided customizable memorial services for many years for families in the greater Santa Cruz, California, area. Every year, more and more families choose Benito & Azzaro when they experience the loss of a loved one. We are dedicated to celebrating life by crafting farewell ceremonies that capture the very essence of the individual. Our approach includes offering clear information about all available options, allowing ample time for decision-making without pressure, and maintaining flexibility to accommodate family wishes, from including the family pet to selecting a unique location. At Benito & Azzaro we believe that your spiritual path is your personal choice. Our services also include worry-free cremations and 24-7 access to assistance....
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