Rita was born on January 29, 1927 in North Adams, Massachusetts to James and Melvina
Samia, immigrants from Beirut, Lebanon. Rita’s early years were spent working in her family’s store alongside her 2 brothers and sister. While vacationing in New Jersey with her friends, Rita meets a young sailor by the name of Charles Swan “Charlie” who became her husband in June of 1950. Charlie and Rita were married for 54 wonderful years and have 4 children - Mary Ann, Elaine, Chuck and Lori. Aside from a career as a Navy wife and raising a family, Rita worked over 20 years at Aetna Wire & Cable. Upon retirement she then began volunteering for many organizations - USO, Women’s Club, and Food Bank to name a few. Being still was never Rita's nature. She always believed in “giving of herself” and was selfless with her time and all her hugs. To many, Rita was known as “The Hug Lady” and no-one was a stranger.
Rita’s greatest accomplishment is her family - Her daughters Mary Ann Zakrzewski and husband Wally, Elaine Aird and husband John, Lori Swan and Butch Myers and a son Chuck Swan and his wife Norma along with being proud grandma to Eric Zakrzewski and his wife Maria, Becky Klotz and her husband Richard, Matt Scott and his fiance Anne, Jason Scott, and Nick Swan and his wife Katie. The many great-grandkids are the “cherries on top”.
Aside from devoting her life to her family, church and organizations, Rita found great pleasure in playing Bingo, Rummikub with her friends at The Gardens ALF and hitting those slots machines at Rosie’s. She had a very competitive streak and hated to lose!
Most of all, Rita loved her family and instilled in them strong values that have served them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
Memorial will be held 12/30/22 at 5:00-7:00 in Woodlawn Funeral Home, funeral mass will be conducted 12/31/22 at 11:00 in St. Pius X Church with a reception following immediately in their social hall and the burial will be held 1/3/23 at 11:00 in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society, Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia or to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
