Rita Viola Chico

CHICO, Rita Viola of Kettering, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2017 at the age of 87. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Rita cherished her family and friends. She was born July 20, 1930 in Morgantown, WV, to the late Emanuele and Cesira Ferraroli Viola, Italian immigrants. Rita spoke only Italian until she attended public school. Despite growing up during the Great Depression, Rita recalled a happy childhood, surrounded by a supportive community, and hard-working parents.
Rita met her future husband Leo while in 4th grade. She went to a different school after 6th grade, and during her senior year of high school, she was voted “Miss Morgantown High” by her fellow students. She and Leo didn't see each other again until after graduation when he delivered milk from his family’s dairy to the Viola family grocery store where Rita worked. He asked her for a date, they fell in love, and the rest is history!
On December 27, 1952, Rita and Leo got married – it was a union that lasted nearly 65 years. As newlyweds, they moved to Atlanta, GA where Leo was stationed in the Army. Together they also lived in Charleston, WV; Bowie, MD; Morgantown, WV; and finally, in Kettering, OH for the last 48 years.
Rita’s kind and joyful nature was contagious to those around her. She enjoyed working with her coworkers and customers at E.F. MacDonald Sales Center, Ardans department store, City of Kettering Courts, and DeClark’s Hallmark store. She and Leo dedicated many of their weekends to the Sons of Italy Club of Kettering.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Tullio Viola, and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Rita is survived by her beloved husband Leo; children Sandra (Jeff) Torgerson, Peggy (Dan) Keelan, John (Amy) Chico, and Nancy (Steve) Butlin; grandchildren Kara, Kelly, Colleen, Conor, Ben, Kevin, Grace, and Siena; and great-grandchildren Max & Kathryn. She was grateful for her many extended relatives, especially Teresa & Bob Bonasso and Jim & Marilyn Thomeczek, who were always there to help. Rita treasured her long-time Larriwood Avenue neighbors, who became family.
Friends of Rita will be received 4:00pm – 8:00pm on Friday, September 29th at Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Rd, Kettering OH 45440. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, September 30th at St. Charles Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd, Kettering, OH 45429. Burial will be at David’s Cemetery in Kettering. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rita’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), or to Hospice of Dayton (hospiceofdayton.org).