NEEDHAM, Rita A.

Rita A. Needham, 82, died peacefully in her home with her sister at her side on Wednesday, July 9, 2008. Rita was born in Dryden Ont., Canada on Aug. 1, 1925 to Kathleen and Robert Murray. Rita met her husband, James F. Needham in 1953 in Toronto, Ont. and they were married in 1956. Jim and Rita moved to Los Angeles where Rita worked as an office manager for a group of physicians for 17 years. Rita and Jim moved to Fountain Hills in 1986. Rita moved to Georgia for 12 years from 1993 to 2005 to live with hr sister, Joyce. Rita returned to Fountain Hills in 2005 with her canine companion, Cinnamon. Rita was very active in the Fountain Hills Women’s Golf Club from 1986 to 1993. She enjoyed golfing at various golf courses. Rita was predeceased by her husband, Jim in 1990, her parents, her niece, her brothers, Bill and Tom and her sister, Joyce. Rita is survived by her sister, Lois Gammon; nieces, Val (Melvin) Regner, JoAnn (John) Page; nephew, Murray Gammon and their families; her sister-in-law, Lourdes Murray; nephew John Murray; nieces, Peggy (Bruce) MacBeth, Kathleen (Michael) Kennedy, Betty Jean (Herman) Lopez and their families; and grand nephew, Virgil Cooper III. At Rita’s request there will be no funeral or memorial service. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends - especially Joyce Vaccaro and her long time canine companion, Cinnamon. Lois and Val and their families would like to thank all of Rita’s friends for their compassion, caring and assistance provided during Rita’s illness. Many thanks also to the Odyssey Hospice support staff, her nurse, Sheryl and the Home Instead workers that assisted us with her care. Your thoughtfulness and caring will not be forgotten. Fountain Hills Times July 16, 2008.