RIO LOCATELLI

1931 - 2018

RIO LOCATELLI Rio Bornholdt Locatelli passed away January 24, 2018, at the age of 86, at her home in Parowan, Utah. She was born October 22, 1931, in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Florence Parker Bornholdt and Carl Bornholdt. As a child, Rio enjoyed tap dancing, performing and horseback riding. She graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1949. After high school, she married Battista and they started a family. In 1969, they moved to Las Vegas. They opened Battista's Hole in the Wall restaurant in 1970, where she became a very talented cook. She later went on to run her own swimwear business. Rio was a hardworking woman and the backbone of the Locatelli family. Since the 1970s, Rio truly loved being part of the Parowan community, where she and Battista developed a love for snowmobiling at nearby Brian Head. Participating in the local theater and helping with the animal shelter was a source of joy for her. Rio and Battista made Parowan their full-time home when they retired in 2005. Rio was free-spirited, adventurous, strong and sassy. She loved good food and Pinot Grigio, painting and crochet. She enjoyed traveling. She flew airplanes, drove school buses, loved swimming and participated in triathlons. She loved her momma, all her pets and smiling at cute babies. She loved her big crazy family and she loved her Biondo fiercely. She was truly a remarkable lady. Rio was preceded in death by her brothers, Hank and Hill; and her sister, Rocky. She is survived by her husband, of 65 years, Battista Locatelli; her son, three daughters and their families. She was blessed with 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be at noon Saturday, February 17, at Grace Christian Church in Parowan, Utah. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested a donation to be made in Rio's name to the Parowan Animal Assistant League (PAAL), parowanutahshelter.org