Rita M (Murphy) Gates

Rita Murphy Gates went to our Lord May 20th in Akron. She was born in Montrose, WV October 4, 1919 and grew up on a farm with eight siblings, all of whom preceded her from this life. She lived in Akron 11 years, and in Cuyahoga Falls the last 65 years.

She was a member of Eastern Star and St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and an advisor to Rainbow Girls in Cuyahoga Falls. Rita worked many years at M. O'Neil /May Co. in downtown Akron in the Town & Country Department, and she volunteered in the gift shop of Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital for 20 years. She greatly loved and enjoyed her family, and also pursued golf (she had a hole in one), travel, hiking with the nuns of Our Lady of the Elms, and walking outdoors. Rita's loving husband of 47 years Arthur passed in 1986.

She is survived by sons Arthur Roland II of Duxbury, MA and Gerald A. of Yorba Linda, CA, and their wives Elizabeth and Syllen respectively. Rita's six grandchildren are Amanda Gates Carlson, Margaret Gates, Elizabeth Gates Bradley, Colleen Gates Meyer, Arthur Gates III, and Jennifer Gates, and there are six great-grandchildren. Her sons are thankful and grateful to Rita's Akron-area dear friend and niece Wanda Vigar, nephew Rick Hanger, neighbor Howard Keith, and the staffs of Sunrise of Cuyahoga Falls, Summa City Hospital, and the VNS Hospice Care Center.

A reception and services will be conducted in the Parlor and the Chapel of St. Paul's Episcopal Church Tuesday May 26th at 10:00am and 11:30am respectively with Rev. Mark Pruitt officiating. Interment to follow at Crown Hill Cemetery. Donations may be provided to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1361 W. Market St. Akron, Ohio 44313 or to the VNS Hospice Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron, Ohio 44333.