Rita Eleanor Todd mourned

DOWNEY - Rita Eleanor (Gress) Todd passed away Nov. 10 in La Habra at the age of 92.She was born Aug. 12, 1921 in Seneca, Kans., to Leo Peter Gress and Bertha Henrieta Winkler. The first of seven children, she is survived by siblings Donald Gress and Alice Briggs. She married Charles "Charlie" John Todd on Jan. 13, 1950 at St. Vincent Cathedral in Los Angeles. Together they would raise seven children in Downey at St. Raymond Parish. Rita is survived by her children Frederick Zagurski (wife, Janet, deceased in 2013), James Leo Todd, Karen Joan (Dennis Vantol), Kathy Joy (widow of Howard Hamilton III), David Todd (Diane), Leo Todd (Michele) and Mary Ann (Richard Groth). She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie, who died in 2000, and son, Donald, who died in 1972 at age 21. Rita was active for many years with the Ladies Guild and Catholic Daughters through St. Raymond's Church. Rita and her husband retired to Bullhead City, Ariz. and were members of St. Margaret's Parish and volunteers at St. Vincent De Paul Society. Services were held Dec. 7 at St. Raymond's Church in Downey with private internment.

********** Published: Dec. 19, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 36