Rita Toscano
March 11, 1932 - June 10, 2016

Rita Joyce Toscano, age 84, Los Banos, CA, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 10, 2016 at Memorial Hospital Los Banos with family members in attendance.
Rita was born to the late Joe and Amelia Palermo, March 11, 1932, in Los Banos, CA. She attended local schools until the completion of her junior year in June of 1949. Three months later on September 11, 1949, she married the love-of-her-life, the late Joe F. Toscano. They would celebrate nearly 63 years of happiness together.
Rita’s life revolved around her family. She learned early in her marriage that the best way to keep her husband happy was through the kitchen. She was an extraordinary cook and baker, and took great pride in both.
Rita believed that teaching by example was the most effective learning technique. She was granted permission by the Superintendent of Los Banos Unified School District to return to the local high school in the fall of 1967 to take a civics course that would satisfy her high school diploma requirements. She attended class every day for the ’67-‘68 school year and in June of 1968, at the age of 36, she graduated and received her high school diploma, the same year her eldest child, Rick, graduated. She sent a clear message to all her children the importance of education, and that it is never too late. She was so popular with her classmates and other students on campus that she received 72 graduation gifts from the student body.
For 17 years Rita owned and operated Rita’s Grande Fashions, a clothing store for women, which also sold shoes and accessories.
She was an active member of the Italian Catholic Federation, and attended mass regularly at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Joe F. Toscano, and her father and mother
Joe and Amelia Palermo.
Rita is survived by five children: Rick & Robin (nee Harris) Toscano, of Los Banos; Angelo & Nina (nee Toscano) Naldi, of Livingston; Ross, of Los Banos; Don & Nisa (nee Toscano) Yonan, of Hilmar; and Kris & Susan (nee Costales) Toscano, of Monterey. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, June 16, at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, June 17, at 10 a.m. followed by internment at 11 a.m.
Following the burial a reception will be held at the VFW Hall located at 615 E. St.
Services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Chapel~ Los Banos

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