Rita Joann (Cavinee) Wooten

RITA JOANN CAVINEE WOOTEN

Rita Joann Cavinee Wooten, 82, of Gahanna, Ohio, passed away on April 28, 2017 in Westerville, Ohio. Family and friends will gather at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3047 E. Dublin-Granville Rd on Saturday, May 13 at 1:00 p.m. Service will begin at 2:00 p.m.where guests may share thoughts and stories about Rita. A Celebration of Life Gathering will continue at her daughter's home. A private internment will take place at a later time at Blendon Central Cemetery in Westerville, Ohio.

Rita was born in Zanesville, Ohio to John Neil Cavinee and Frances Irene Conrad Cavinee on August 8, 1934. She attended school in Westerville. She retired from Columbus Academy in 2000, where she worked for many years as the Food Service Manager. In her early years, Rita enjoyed crocheting and just about any craft, including painting. In her later years, she was voracious in her genealogy research and tracing family history back into the 1700's. She was a champion for the Cavinee family reunion since its inception in the early 1970's.

Rita is preceded in death by her daughter, Loradell Wooten, and parents, John and Frances Cavinee.

She is survived by her children Audie Wooten (Bethanne) and Rita Shapter; her grandchildren Rebecca Wooten, Jacob Wooten, Phillip Wooten, Abby Wooten (Anthony Williams), Breanna Meekings (Jai) & Miranda Shapter; and her great-grandchildren Tess Creamer & Kendrick Williams. She is also survived by siblings Doris Harvey, Jerry (Wanda) Cavinee, Ralph (Linda) Cavinee & Kenny (Darlene) Cavinee; uncle and aunt, Jim & Sally Conrad, Pam Oeffler, Peter Shapter (son-in-law) and Jo Moore; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

The family acknowledges Rebecca for her tireless care of Rita over the past few years.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to St. Ann's Hospital and New Albany Rehabilitation Center.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be sent, in her name, to Nationwide Children's Hospital or Susan G. Komen Columbus®.