Rita Jean Torrigino

1951 - 2014

Rita Torrigino, 62, passed away following a short illness of a stroke and heart attack on January 15, 2014. She was born Rita Jean Anderson in Avenal, California on December 29, 1951. Her parents preceded her in death and were Hallie M. Anderson of Galt, CA. and Jack A. Anderson of Golden Valley, AZ.
She was one of five sisters and is the first of the five to pass. Her sisters are Jacqueline (Jacqui) Davy (Dean Davy, deceased) of Lodi, CA, Donna Label (Dr, Norman Label) of Nevada City, Robbie Zakoor of Reno, NV and Karen Michele Anderson of Galt, CA.
Rita graduated from Galt High School in 1970. She attended Avenal Elementary School until the age of eleven, when the family moved Galt, CA. After that she attended Galt Elementary School. She was always known as one who loved to care for animals. It was important to her that her dogs always have a home and be well fed and loved. Rita originally met her husband, Jeff Torrigino, while attending Galt High School.
Rita loved her family with all of her heart and was a loving wife and a caring mother. She was a very talented artistic individual. The art that she could create with her hands was beautiful and she was able to express herself through the art until arthritis prohibited her from doing so with her hands.
She worked for her father at J & E Body and Paint Shop in Galt in her early years, after graduating. Then she worked for Don Silva, private investigator, in Old Sacramento, CA. Later she returned to Galt to work at Ambrogio Electric.
She is survived by her husband, Jeffery Torrigino of Lodi, CA. Rita and Jeff Torrigino were married on February 9, 1974 in Carson City, NV. After their marriage, she and her husband lived in Galt, CA and in recent years lived in Lodi, CA. Jeff was the love of her life.
Rita had three children, who were a very important and essential part of her life. She loved them unconditionally and with all of her heart. Her children were so precious to Rita. The first born child is Jack Anthony (Tony) Garrett of Lodi, CA; the second born is Jeremy Torrigino, who preceded his mother in death. Her baby was Shannon Torrigino Deel (husband Matt Deel) of Lodi, CA.
Rita's grandchildren that will miss her called her "NeNe" They are: Alexandria Mae Torrigino Garner, Cierra Jean Garner, Seth James Garner, and Caitlyn "Garrett" Ory, all of Lodi, CA along with Chase Garrett of Colorado Springs, CO.
Rita is survived by the following nieces and nephews: Jennifer M Davy-Stanley (Matthew) of Lodi, CA, Alyssa A. Label of San Diego, CA, Joseph A. Label, and Jacob M. Label of Nevada City, CA and Steven J. Wayment of Galt, CA.
She is also survived by the following Great Nieces and Nephews: Jessica A. Stanley, Jacqueline (Jacqui) Stanley, Mathew Stanley, all of Lodi, CA and Evangelyn Zakoor, Hallie Zakoor, Jayden Zakoor, Ashlyn Zakoor, Cohen Zakoor, and Scotlyn L. Zakoor of Reno, NV.
Rita's two puppies, Sebastian and Tyson, join with all of Rita's relatives in mourning her and celebrating all of the wonderful caring things that Rita did for others.
Arrangements are through Ben Salas in Galt, CA. Viewing will be from 10:00 am to 1:00 PM on Wednesday, January 22, 2014. A Memorial Service will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Ben Salas Funeral Home in Galt, CA. Final internment will be on Friday, January 24, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Galt Arno Cemetery District in Galt, CA.