Obituary of Rita Eleanor Sarkes

Rita Sarkes, born August 7, 1917 in Cleveland, OH, passed away in her home on August 27 at the age of 96. Born to Italian immigrants Donato and Katarina Narracci, she entertained many over the years with stories of the "good old days" growing up in her ethnic neighborhood in Cleveland. She met and married her husband of 60 years in 1937 and together they raised 5 children. The moved to Santa Cruz in 1960 to the home where she lived these past 53 years enjoying the ocean and people watching. She will be fondly remembered for her fun and sometimes irreverant sense of humor, her hospitality to friends and strangers alike, and for her love for her family. She was preceded in death by her husband George and her sons Gerald and Bill. Rita is survived by son George Sarkes, Jr (Carol) of Cleveland, OH, and daughters, Melody Nicholson (Bob) and Donna Sarkes Fortina (Franc) of Santa Cruz as well as 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Family and friends were always at the center of Rita's life and she will be missed by all who knew her. The family would especially like to thank her longtime devoted caregivers Lita Tabios and Mansie Cawaling, and acknowledge the helpful support of the Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice of Santa Cruz. Services will be at St George's Orthodox Church with burial following at St. Theodosius Orthodox Cemetery both in Cleveland, OH.