Rita Goodman

91, passed away February 17, 2019 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida following a long illness.

Rita was born in Naples, Italy on September 11, 1927 and it was there that she met her husband Dee Ott Goodman, Jr., a corporal in the US Army who was stationed in Italy during World War II. They married in October of 1945 and moved to Oklahoma, where they raised their 3 children. Rita and her family relocated to Florida in the 1970's, first to the Florida Keys and finally to Palm Beach County, Florida, the place she called home for over 40 years until her death.

Rita was a devoted Catholic and her purpose in life was fueled by her faith and love for God but also of utmost importance was her family and close friends. Rita was affectionately known as "Nona," not only by her grandchildren but by all who knew her. This was not only due to her world class Italian cooking, but her compassion and nurturing disposition that made everyone feel like they were home in her presence. Outside of her loved ones, Rita had two other lifelong passions: nursing and football. She was a brilliant nurse for over four decades, working as both a surgical nurse in Oklahoma and in private practice in Florida. However, the one thing that rivaled Rita's commitment to caring for others was her love for football This first began as a mom who rooted for her two sons on the sidelines as they played high school football for the Hobart Bearcats. She was also a true diehard University of Oklahoma college football fan, never missing a Sooners game on TV for eras.

Rita is survived by her brother Lucio (Maria) Deluca; daughter Anna Linley; son James (Rebecca) Goodman; grandchildren Teresa (Reid) Wixson, George (Tara) Linley, Stephanie (Jeffrey Witt) Linley, Brad (Meghan) Hudson, Leigh (Jason) Yergler, Cammie (Andrew) Yick, and Dallas Goodman; 12 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Dee, her son Tony Goodman, her brothers Ugo Deluca and Guido Deluca, and sister Anna Abet.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Palm Beach Gardens ,FL on Monday, February 25, at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.