Rita Rose Patton

Our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, Rita Patton, died on February 29, 2016 in Holladay, Utah. She was born November 12, 1938 in Bellaire, Ohio to John and Norina Colicchia. Rita married Michael Patton on August 20, 1960 in Bellaire, and they spent the next 56 years together, devoted to their family, friends, and the students they taught during their careers in higher education.

Rita graduated from The Ohio State University in 1960 with a BS in Nursing, and later worked as a nurse in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the University of Utah Medical Center. In the 1980s, Rita went on to obtain a MS in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Utah, after which she held positions as a Nursing Instructor at the University of Utah, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and the University of Missouri-Columbia. During her many years as a Nursing Instructor, she was a favorite of her students and the recipient of many teaching awards.

In addition to her love of teaching, Rita was devoted to a variety of service organizations. She was an active member and past officer of The Assistance League of Salt Lake City, The University of Utah Women's Club, and a local chapter of PEO.

She is survived by her husband Michael Patton; her daughters Beth Dillon (Patton) and Julie Burns (Patton); her grandchildren Anne Marie Shetlar, Steven Cowley, and Sean Burns; her great-grandchildren Everett Cowley, Macie Rose Shetlar, and James Shetlar; her sister Mary DeCola; and her nieces Diana Ciaffoncini, Christal McDowell, and Suellen DeCola.

We are all so blessed, grateful, and lucky to have had her in our lives, and we will hold her close in our hearts forever.

A Celebration of Life Service for family and friends will take place on Saturday, March 5th from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Please use complimentary valet parking provided on the north side of the building. She will be laid to rest at a private family committal service at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.