Rita Ann (Lewis) Fry, 81, of Marion, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 26, 2026, following a short illness.
She was born in Lewis County on August 30, 1944, the youngest daughter of the late Clarence Lewis and Violet (Gilbert) Saunders. She spent her early years in Vanceburg, where her family was longtime residents.
She leaves behind her longtime companion, Robert Gist of Marion, Ohio; three children, Tony Hendrickson (Betty) of Kettering, Ohio, Jana Kerswell (James) of Kaslo, Canada, and Steven Fry (Cara) of Ontario, Canada; and her grandchildren, including Colton Wetzel of Bellefontaine, Ohio, Destiny Miller of Bucyrus, Ohio, Jared Wetzel and Chloe Haynes of Edmonton, Canada, and Toni Matthews and Katie Jones of Columbus.
Also surviving are her great-aunt, Betty Bivens, and cousin, Terry Bivens of Mansfield, Ohio, along with many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.
Rita was preceded in death by her brother, Gary R. Lewis, and her beloved sister, Janice N. (Lewis) Bush.
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 suggests donations 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 during this difficult time, and to the staff of Presidential Acute Care for the loving care they provided to Rita in her final days.
