Rita Ann (Lewis) Fry

Rita Ann (Lewis) Fry, age 81, of Marion, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 26, 2026, following a short illness. She was born August 30,1944, in Lewis County, Kentucky, and was the youngest daughter of the late Clarence Lewis and Violet (Gilbert) Saunders.‍ The family were long time residents of Vanceburg, Kentucky.

Rita was preceded in death by her brother Gary R. Lewis and beloved sister Janice N. (Lewis) Bush.

Rita leaves behind her longtime companion, Robert Gist of Marion, as well as three children: Tony Hendrickson (Betty) from Kettering, Jana Kerswell (James) from Kaslo, Canada, and Steven Fry (Cara) from Ontario. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Colton Wetzel of Bellefontaine, Destiny Miller of Bucyrus, Jared Wetzel of Edmonton, Canada, Toni Matthews and Katie Jones, both of Columbus, and Chloe Haynes of Edmonton, Canada. She also leaves behind her Great Aunt Betty Bivens and Cousin Terry Bivens of Mansfield, along with her many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.

Rita will be warmly remembered for her great sense of humor and the joyful moments she brought to her friends and family. Her children will always cherish the idyllic childhood she provided them while growing up in Yorkshire Estates in Marion.

‍In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the Marion County Humane Society - a place where Rita loved to volunteer and rescue her best friends to-be. Rita was a dedicated caregiver to numerous spoiled rotten ornery dogs throughout her life. Miguel, her last rescue, is begrudgingly adjusting to life without her.

The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Sudesh Reddy for the support and kindness he provided to the family through this difficult time, and to the staff of Presidential Acute Care who provided loving care to Rita in her final days.

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