Obituary of Rita Inez Navarro

Rita Inez Navarro, 83, of Simi Valley, CA, will be greatly missed by her family. She passed away peacefully in her home on April 25, 2015 after a brief illness. Rita was born January 23, 1932 in Ventura, CA, the daughter of Frank and Ysidra Holguin of Oxnard, CA. Rita loved attending Holguin family holiday parties hosted by her niece, Rosanna Hughes, where she enjoyed swapping stories of the family’s days in Oxnard. Rita was an avid Rock ‘n Roll fan, often attending concerts with her daughter Susan. Her favorites were the Eagles and Jackson Browne. She was a faithful fan of UCLA Football and the LA Lakers and was Dodger Blue through and through. She had a special love for NASCAR, especially Car 24 and Jeff Gordon! She enjoyed taking trips with her daughters to Mexico, British Columbia, Nevada and throughout California. Rita’s green thumb was admired and appreciated by all. She easily nurtured any plant that was fortunate enough to come to her. Rita loved her job. She enjoyed a 42-year Civil Service career at the Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) in Port Hueneme, CA, from which she “grudgingly” retired in 1997. She was preceded by her parents Frank and Ysidra Holguin, her infant twin daughters Ruth and Rose, brother Gilbert Holguin, half-sister Rayo Neri, half brother Rafael Holguin and former husband, Philip Navarro. Rita is survived by her three daughters, Evelyn (Cleve) Mangham, Cathy (Steve) Redard and Susan Navarro, grandsons Geoff Bannister and William “Danny” Bannister, step-granddaughter Sarah (Alun) Murch, step-great-grandchildren Leo, Rex and Nora Murch, great-granddaughter Kenzie Bannister for whom she had a special bond, brother Raul Holguin, half-brother Martin Holguin, sister Magdalena Acevedo, half-sister Laura Pariseau and her many nieces and nephews. Rita’s family extends sincere thanks and appreciation to the Buena Vista Hospice Care, Inc. for their professional, compassionate care and support.