Rita Ann Hoare was born on April 20, 1936 to Harold E and Helen Hoare in Syracuse New York. She was the youngest of three children after Harry and Barbara. Rita was especially fond of their dog, a Scottish Terrier named Lassie. After graduating from high school Rita studied to become a nurse and was working as an RN when she met Salvatore Emmi, whom everyone called Sam or Sal. They married in 1962. After their daughter Teresa was born, they moved to Binghamton, NY where Sam had taken a job. Their two sons, Joe and Chuck, were added to the family in 1965 and 1966. Sam and Rita loved Binghamton, the big old house on Johnson avenue, outings to Ansco Lake and especially their many friends and relatives, often travelling to visit folks spread from Michigan all the way to Florida.
Economic changes caused Rita and Sam to move to Portland, Oregon in the summer of 1973. The move was a difficult one, most of all because of the great distance from their friends and family. However, they soon had a large network of new friends and acquaintances. Family trips cross country to visit relatives and old friends were a top priority for Sal and Rita whenever possible. Their lives exemplified the adage, 'make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold'.
As the kids grew, Rita returned to nursing and continued to accumulate silver and gold in the relationships she formed with people she touched with her sincerity, kindness and commitment to others welfare. As Sal and Rita transitioned into retirement they got to travel more. When they weren't spending time with their children and grandchildren, they were often away somewhere, planning to go somewhere, or getting ready to host someone from somewhere. Yearly family trips to the Sand Castle in Lincoln City on the Oregon coast were a highlight and generated many pleasant memories. Sam and Rita also began to volunteer in various capacities, especially with hospice, and were involved in church and home groups where they were valued for their warmth, humor and wisdom, again making and deepening friendships along the way.
After Sam passed away in 2007, Rita continued to carry the torch of loving relationships. She moved three times after that, and made new friends at every turn. All the while, she and her sister were best buddies and took trips visiting each other every year until Barbara passed away in 2017. Rita was especially blessed during her time at Creekside Retirement Village where she felt so at home. It was a very difficult decision when her health needs forced her to move out in November. Yet, true to form, she soon had friends at Hearthstone assisted living as well. In spite of the rapid decline of the heart pumping in her body, the heart that really mattered was still strong and good. She continued to put others needs ahead of her own and retained her zest for life, friends and family right up until the end, and we trust, beyond the end.
To paraphrase a line from Mark Twain made famous by the film, It's a Wonderful Life, 'No one is a failure who has friends'. By this measure, and many more, Rita was a great success in life, to which we can all bear witness.
Rita is survived by her daughter Teresa and her husband, Darrell, her sons Chuck and Joe and Joe's wife, Monica, by her grandchildren Erin, Megan and Leanne, by many beloved nieces and nephews and countless friends, all of whom will miss her presence.
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