MARY COMPANION

Rita was born to the late Dolores (Myers) Tofaute and James Tofaute on March 9, 1949, in Wheeling and grew up in Yorkville, Ohio. She graduated from Yorkville High School in 1967–where she was both a cheerleader and played in the band–before studying fine arts at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her husband Arnold Lazarus. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, James Companion of Wheeling; her brother, Joe (Nancy) Tofaute of Summerville, SC; her daughters and stepchildren: Kim (Chris) Castellucci, of Wheeling, and Shannon (Greg) Flaherty of Redondo Beach, CA; Randy (Natalie) Lazarus of Mount Dora, FL; Beth (George) Khoury of Natick, MA; Amy (Richard) Humphrey of Wheeling; and Bob (Jan) Lazarus of Celebration, FL, as well as Christie (Rob) Varnado of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Cathie (Scott) Morgan of Haddonfield, NJ; James (Kim) Companion of Charlotte, NC; Beth (Mike) Johnson of Wheeling; and Michael (Betsy) Purpura of Newport Beach, CA.

Rita presided over a great gaggle of grandchildren: Orlando “Lundy”, Michael, and Mia Castellucci; Isaac “Ike”, Piper, and Vaughan Flaherty; Jett and Jake Lazarus; Alex, Jesse, and Gabriel Khoury; Anna, Blake, and Caroline Humphrey; Delaney, Croix, and Talen Lazarus. Her heart was delighted by the addition of Jim’s as well: Davis and Anne Wilson Varnado; Mollie and Finn Morgan; Bennett and J Companion; Levi Johnson; and Kate Purpura.

Rita will be missed by cherished friends including her former husband, Scott Smith, Barb Bonenberger, Marilyn Thomas and Marlene Sturm.

Rita had a green thumb and loved to garden. She was a true creative and a talented interior decorator. Her beauty and style were as iconic as her kindness. Her generosity of spirit continues even after her death with the donation of her brain in order to help research PPA. In support of this, charitable contributions may be made to Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94206 or www.brain supportnetwork.org. At her request, please send no flowers.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 9 am, Saturday, August 3rd at St. Michael Church in Wheeling with Father Carlos Melocoton as celebrant.

Arrangements by Kepner Funeral Home, 900 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003 304-232-2732