Rita J. Torrigino

 

Rita Torrigino, 62, passed away following a short illness of stroke and heart attack on Jan. 15, 2014. She was born Rita Jean Anderson in Avenal, Calif., on Dec. 29, 1951.

 

Her parents preceded her in death and were Hallie M. Anderson of Galt and Jack A. Anderson of Golden Valley, Ariz.

 

She was one of five sisters and is the first of the five to pass. Her sisters are Jacqueline (Jacqui) Davy (Dean Davy, deceased) of Lodi, Donna Label (Dr. Norman Label) of Nevada City, Robbie Zakoor of Reno, Nev., and Karen Michele Anderson of Galt.

 

Rita graduated from Galt High School in 1970. She attended Avenal Elementary School until the age of 11, when the family moved to Galt. After that, she attended Galt Elementary School. She was always known as one who loved to care for animals. It was important to her that her dogs always have a home and be well fed and loved. Rita originally met her husband, Jeff Torrigino, while attending Galt High School.

 

Rita loved her family with all of her heart and was a loving wife and a caring mother. She was a very talented artistic individual. The art that she could create with her hands was beautiful, and she was able to express herself through the art until arthritis prohibited her from doing so with her hands.

 

She worked for her father at J&E Body and Paint Shop in Galt in her early years, after graduating. Then she worked for Don Silva, private investigator, in Old Sacramento. Later she returned to Galt to work at Ambrogio Electric.

 

She is survived by her husband, Jeffery Torrigino, of Lodi. Rita and Jeff were married on Feb. 9, 1974 in Carson City, Nev. After their marriage, she and her husband lived in Galt and in recent years lived in Lodi. Jeff was the love of her life.

 

Rita had three children, who were a very important and essential part of her life. She loved them unconditionally and with all of her heart. Her children were so precious to Rita. The firstborn child is Jack Anthony (Tony) Garrett of Lodi; the second born is Jeremy Torrigino, who preceded his mother in death. Her baby was Shannon Torrigino Deel (husband Matt Deel) of Lodi.

 

Rita’s grandchildren, who called her “Ne Ne” and will miss her, are Alexandria Mae Torrigino Garner, Cierra Jean Garner, Seth James Garner and Caitlyn “Garrett” Ory, all of Lodi, along with Chase Garrett of Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

Rita is survived by nieces and nephews Jennifer M. Davy-Stanley (Matthew) of Lodi, Alyssa A. Label of San Diego, Joseph A. Label and Jacob M. Label of Nevada City, and Steven J. Wayment of Galt.

 

She is also survived by great nieces and nephews Jessica A. Stanley, Jacqueline (Jacqui) Stanley, Mathew Stanley, all of Lodi, and Evangelyn Zakoor, Hallie Zakoor, Jayden Zakoor, Ashlyn Zakoor,Cohen Zakoor and Scotlyn Zakoor of Reno, Nev.

 

Rita’s two puppies, Sebastian and Tyson, join with all of Rita’s relatives in mourning her and celebrating all of the wonderful caring things that Rita did for others.

 

Viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at Ben Salas Funeral Home in Galt, with a memorial service following there at 2 p.m.

 

Final interment will be at 2 :p.m., Friday, Jan. 24 at the Galt Arno Cemetery District in Galt.