Per Rita’s request there will be no funeral services. The family with hold a private interment. She will be placed with her husband at St. Benedict’s Columbarium. Memorial contributions may be made to Pet Friends Rescue, as Rita was a dog lover. Visit: www.grunnagle.com for condolences
Rita Mary Bowling, 76, of Hollister, CA. passed away peacefully Thursday, March 28th, 2013, surrounded by family and friends.
She was greeted in heaven by her parents Carmine and Ada Naccarato and her loving husband, Linden Bowling as well as her four-legged children Bobo, Heidi, Missy, Max and Jake.
She is survived by her sister Enes Vallejo, brother-in-law Cecil, daughters Gloria Lomanto and Carol Lenoir ( Brian). She is also survived by her granddaughter Hillary Lomanto (Frank) and grandsons L.B and Ricky Lenoir as well as her two great-grandchildren Samantha and Rocco Gamez.
Rita was born in Rouyn Quebec, Canada and migrated to Hollister with her family at the age of 10. Rita attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and San Benito High School.
Rita started her career in the insurance industry in the late 60’s. She worked for many local brokerages until she started her own insurance office, Rita Bowling Insurance.
Her illustrious insurance career ended at the age of 49 when she was elected as the first woman supervisor representing District 3 for The County of San Benito in 1986. She served on the Board of Supervisors for 16 consecutive years. Her diligence was reflected in the well-informed decisions that she made on behalf of the citizens of San Benito County.
She retired from the Board of Supervisors in 2002 with many recognition awards from various representatives on both the state and federal level, including Woman of the Year by the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA). Prior to her Board tenure she served as the first woman ever to be Foreman of the San Benito County Grand Jury.
The family would like to say a special and heartfelt thank you to Rita’s longtime friend ,Natalie Sosa, for her caring and loyalty all these years. We love you very much.
