Rita Sanchez -Wolfe

Rita Elva Sanchez-Wolfe August 20, 1939 – May 12, 2012 Rita Elva Sanchez-Wolfe, of Prescott, Arizona, was born in Yuma, Arizona, on August 20, 1939, to Anthony and Jesse (Marquez) Sanchez. Rita graduated from Yuma High School and then from Arizona Teachers College (now Northern Arizona University) with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In her last semester of college, Rita married Joseph R. Vasquez of Flagstaff, Arizona, bore three children: Elizabeth Marie (McRae) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Adam Joseph of Flagstaff, Arizona, and David Anthony of Richland, Washington. Rita worked in social services for the Arizona Department of Economic Security and subsequently with the Hozhoni Foundation in the management of group homes in northern Arizona. In 1982, she married Edward Wolfe and moved with him to the Island of Hawaii. There she worked as an advocate for expectant or parenting teenagers. In 1989, she and her husband moved to Vancouver, Washington. In 1999, they retired to Prescott, Arizona. Over these years, Rita had an active life that included enjoying tennis, hiking, travel, skiing, bridge, hula (in Hawaii), membership in the American Association of University Women, creating beautiful living spaces, woodworking, movies, reading, and her large family. Especially rewarding most recently was the opportunity to volunteer in a school reading program for early grade-school children in Prescott. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Anthony Sanchez, Jr. She is survived by her sister, Sara, her loving husband, her three children, 5 stepchildren—Paul Wolfe, Sandey Wolfe, Christopher Wolfe, Linda Backus, and Susan Farrar, 19 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Rita will be remembered for many things, but in particular for her love of beauty in all its forms and the love she shared with family and friends. A celebration of her life with family and friends is planned for mid-June.