Rita Kwan Akelis

William Nachazel of Milpitas, CA -- thank you for your kind card and sympathies.

Thank you to Tammy Huey for having a memorial dedicated to Rita at a Buddhist temple.

Dear Tony, Aline, and Vincent,
My thoughts have been with all of you ever since I heard the sad news. Rita's gentle creative spirit will live on in our memories and hearts. I still picture her as our stewardess flying to the Nut Tree Restaurant in 1962, with you, Tony, as captain! Her lovely stitched handbags, Christmas decorations, and baby blankets are family heirlooms! She left a great legacy of love to everyone! Hugs to you all! Sigita

Thank you to Carl and Karen Rogge of Sonoma, California for your kind thoughts.

Thank you to Sandi, Shirley, Alice, Lesley, and the people at Shady Lane, Palo Alto. It was lovely to receive a card from you.

Thank you to Robert McNeill of Bayonne, NJ for sending us a card.
Thank you also to Ken and Tammy Lau for your thoughtful card.

Gary & Katie Guillat,
Beverly & Becky Robertson,
Greg Childs,
Bobbie Burkett,
Mick Uhlenhop,
The MacFarlane Family, Daytona Beach, FL:
Grateful thanks for your kind thoughts and lovely cards.

Thank you to Mr. Bill Sullivan of Somerset, CA and the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement for memorial remembrance of Rita in their works and Masses. We are grateful for this gesture of remembrance.

Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Kent TeKrony of San Carlos, for your donation to Mission Hospice & Home Care, in memory of Rita. We are grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Rita, a most gracious, lovely lady whom l met at the christening of you first child in NYC. When visiting you and Tony in San Francisco many years ago, you were the perfect hostess, our conversations were fun and educational as were our trips to a real Chinese restaurant and your favorite foods. We miss you and wish you good fortune in your next phase of spiritual life.
My condolences to Tony, Aline and Vince as well to all your extended family since we lost a truly gracious lady.
Tony's cousin - Tony Ramanauskas, Orlando FL

An unexpected passing which left us speechless. A great person and mother with a wonderful family Rita we will miss you

In Loving Memory of Rita Dear Sam Ga (the endearing way to address my 3rd elder sister in Chinese)


I am so sad to lose you so suddenly. When we were in San Francisco in March this year, we had some happy gatherings at your place and the local restaurants. We enjoyed good food with jovial conversation and it never occurred to me that those would be our last get-togethers.


We were very close when we were young. You always craved for some junk foods and I was your accomplice to sneak in those behind the backs of Mom and sister Norma. And under such furtive circumstances, the junk items tasted ever more delicious.


After you married Tony and settled down in America, you raised a loving family with Aline and Vincent. Apart from your busy housewife schedules, you managed to develop your talent and artistry into a favourite pastime which turned out to be a profitable business in creative and decorative fabrics. In spite of all these, you never ceased to maintain close connection with your folks in Hong Kong. Every time you revisited your birth place, we always spent much memorable times together.


When Victoria, Jason and I emigrated to the States, both you and Tony were tremendously supportive and helpful, which indeed expedited our settling down into the foreign environment and we are forever grateful for that.


Although you had been sick and frail for quite some time, I never expected that your condition would turn for the worse at such a hurried pace. It's consoling, however, that you moved on peacefully at home with all your loved ones around. You were relieved of all your sufferings and worries and might be looking upon us from a better world now.


I miss you a lot, Sam Ga. As I look across the horizon with misty eyes, I am sure we shall meet again somewhere, sometime!


With lots of love,


Woo Jai (Baby Yam)

A wonderful wife , a wonderful mother, a wonderful friend , a wonderful person . We 'll miss you Rita .

A special thank you to Paul Kilmartin and family for your offers of help and great support you've given in this difficult time.