Rita Louise Lavery (Kolada), 96, was born on Jan. 6, 1921, in Massachusetts. She died peacefully in her sleep on June 8, 2017, at home in Tujunga. She and her husband, Stephen Kolada, would have celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary next month.
Her first husband, John "Jack" Lavery, and her daughter, Linda, preceded her in death. She is survived by her second husband, Stephen Kolada, and her son John (Gladys) Lavery, grandchildren Jessica Lavery, Jacob (Susan) Lostimolo and Philip (Laura) Lostimolo, and great-grandchildren Kayley Vaillancourt and Emma and Christopher Lostimolo.
Rita also leaves behind six stepchildren: Mary (Don) Scott, Tom Kolada, Kathy Kolada, Barbara Kolada, Patty (Kevin) Erickson and Susan (Grant) Hawkins, as well as step-grandchildren George Harrris, Jessica (Casey) McFeron, Candis Fairley and Cory Hawkins, and several step-great-grandchildren.
Arrangements under the direction of Valley Funeral Home, Burbank, CA.