Rita Frederick
Rita Frederick

Obituary of Rita Joanne Frederick

Rita Frederick, 93 of Palm Bay, Florida passed away Saturday January 8, 2022. She was born on April 22, 1928 in Orange, NJ to Trace Irwin and Iona Lillian (Keller) Slaughter.

Her family settled in Dayton, Ohio, where she graduated from high school and met her husband James Frederick, a student at the Dayton Art Institute, where she worked at an on-campus art supply kiosk. A natural beauty with a quick wit, Rita had a love of the English language, puns and double entendres. She enjoyed eating healthfully and staying active. She entertained herself with reading, quilting, solving crossword puzzles and listening to the music of "Phantom of the Opera."

Above all else, Rita's passion was making a loving home for her husband and children. After her husband passed in 1992, she took much pleasure in traveling the country to visit her children, all of whom became her best friends.

Rita is survived by her sister Susan Button (Larry); daughter Karen Vail (Jeff) of Hopkins, MI; daughter Linda Carter (Art) of San Antonio, TX; daughter Lori Notestine (Jerry) of Valkaria, FL; son James Frederick of Provincetown, MA; daughter Kristan Frederick of Palm Bay, FL; grandchildren Phil Magreevy, Patrick Magreevy, Kelli Crovo, Jeff Notestine, Alex Bodnar and 13 great-grandchildren in California, Virginia, Florida, and Texas.

She was predeceased by her parents, Trace and Iona Slaughter, husband James Frederick; daughter Kathy Bodnar (Albert); grandsons John Vail and Jacob Bodnar.

The service is private, at the request of the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, please donate in the memory of Rita J. Frederick to Health First Hospice Care or the Alzheimer's Association.