Rita Ann Leitch

Rita was baptized at Saint Alphonsus church, and completed her first communion and remained a catholic until her death. Rita Ann Leitch left this earth to be with the lord on July 6, 2024 at Clovis community medical hospital after a lengthy illness.

Born to Elsie and Gladys Crumpler she attended school in west Fresno where she was also in the Edison Tigers marching band, and graduated from Fresno state college with a degree in nursing. Upon graduation and getting her RN license, she worked in several fields and positions in the hospital. Such as nursing, psychiatry, surgery, public health, and finally school nursing where she stayed until retirement. Rita was recognized by her peers for her outstanding work and abilities. She was always willing to assist others, and while being a school nurse was her happiest job, working in surgery was her second favorite.

She was a long time member of the black nurses union and was a founding member, and spent many years being a mentor. Upon retiring she pursued her love for sewing, doll collecting, knitting, cross stitch of landscapes, and genealogy studies while watching her movie collection. She was also a devout catholic who attended saint Helen's adoration and church regularly. Rita was a gifted musician starting from an early age learning guitar, piano, organ, clarinet, and various other instruments. She would also do genealogy work for families, going back as far as the records could trace with extensive information, before services we know about today. Leaving that legacy for us to study.

She was a special woman, who did her best to show care and love for all those around her. We are blessed to have known her and we will miss her.

Rita was married to Lance Leitch in 1976 and had two sons, Ernest and Daniel Leitch.

She is survived by her sister Mary Ann Crumpler

Her parents Elsie and Glady, sister Kathryn, Brothers Earl, Louis, Peter, Billy, and Jimmy have passed

Rita will be laid to rest July 30th at Mountain View cemetery following a catholic service at Saint Helen's

She will be missed by her family, siblings, and friends.