Rita Lewis

Desert Hot Springs - Rita Margaret Daraio Lewis from Desert Hot Springs, California passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday May 02, 2025 at a home care facility in Covina California where she lived with her beloved son Philip Lewis. Rita had a career in journalism at The Desert Sun where she was an award-winning Journalist, Reporter, and Editor before her retirement. She enjoyed running, yoga, hiking, cooking and spending time with her two grandsons. She was an energetic, loving, compassionate woman who loved all animals especially her many dogs that she had over her lifetime. She enjoyed the wild baby hares that frequented her home as well as the pigeons that came to enjoy the bounty of her feeding. Rita's sense of humor could cause a chuckle or a belly laugh as she enjoyed fun-loving bantering with a twinkle in her eye. Rita was born May 13, 1930 in Beverly Hills, California to renowned artist Innocenzo Daraio and his wife Anne Louise Bachman. She is preceded in death by her father Innocenzo Daraio, her mother Anne Louise Bachman Daraio, her brother artist Rafael Joseph Innocenzo Daraio, and cousin Billie Louise Simms Gorby. She leaves behind her son Philip Lewis, her grandsons Sean and Ryan Lewis, extended family members and beloved friends.