Obituary of Rita M. Brooks

Born in Valley City, Ohio, Rita was the eldest of six children born to John and Ellen Sailer. She attended schools in Medina, Ohio and graduated from high school in 1938. During World War II she was employed by Goodyear Aircraft as a riveter in the cramped fuselage of fighter planes. After World War II she and her husband Max Horton raised three daughters in Medina, Ohio. In 1959 Rita moved to Santa Barbara. Her career included 20 years at the Santa Barbara Medical Clinic and many years at Santa Barbara City College where she retired. Rita died on January 28th, two days before her 94th birthday, after a very brief illness. She prided herself in having never been sick most of her life. She is survived by her three daughters Linda Bullard (Gary) of Sacramento, CA., Karen Benjamin (William) of Santa Barbara, CA, and Kathleen Horton of Santa Paula, CA. She is also survived by six grandchildren Deborah Tennial, Jeffrey Horton, Kristian Sorensen, Sarah Benjamin, Lisa Benjamin and Alexandra Benjamin, four great grandchildren Michael Malanoski, Bradley Malanoski, Jennifer Malanoski and Logan Sorensen, and one great great grandchild Michael Malanoski. Rita is also survived by a brother Michael Sailer of Sarasota, FL and a sister Mary Davis of Elyria, OH. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett & Associates Mortuary.