Rita E. Stanton

Rita Elizabeth Stanton died Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at the Meridian senior residence in Lakewood, Colorado. Rita was born in Adams County, Iowa, on June 22, 1925, the second daughter of Linus and Teresa (Keefe) Moore. After elementary country school, she enrolled at Corning High School, beginning her apartment-style life in town, due to the distance from the family on the farm. She graduated from high school in 1942, and from Ottumwa Heights College in Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1944. Though not a life-long professional teacher, she taught one younger sister (Benita) to read, and during the shortages of instructors in wartime, she was enlisted to teach commercial subjects in Cumberland, Iowa, joining her sister Rosemary, an elementary school teacher there. Both moved to Creston, Iowa, where Rita worked at an insurance office. In 1948, Rita moved to Denver, Colorado, where she continued her business career. In 1952, she married Richard Stanton, whose work with Texaco involved moves to Lewistown, Montana, and Casper, Wyoming, before settling in Denver, and later in Lakewood, Colorado. Their children are David (Nancy) of Lakewood and Elizabeth of New York City. Richard preceded her in death (2006), as did her parents and an older sister, Sister Rosemary CHM of Davenport, Iowa. Survivors include her two children and her grandson, Luke, and her sisters Benita Moore of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Jane Moore of Denver. Her life was enriched by many friends and by travel in the United States and other countries. She enjoyed playing bridge, cooking, needlecraft, and decorating her homes. She also enjoyed a lifetime of reading and church activities at St. Vincent de Paul, Risen Christ, and, most recently, St. Jude's in Lakewood. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am, Friday, November 6, at St. Jude's Catholic Church, 9405 West Florida Avenue. Interment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the charity of their choice.