Rita Stokes

Rita Eva (Bevilaqua) Stokes, age 95, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, in Heber, UT. She was a long-time resident of Kamas and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Rita Eva Bevilaqua Stokes was born on February 22, 1930, in Richmond, CA to her parents Giovanni ("John") Bevilaqua and Angiolina ("Lena") (Viola) Bevilaqua. She was born in the house where she was raised.

She married William Stokes ("Bill") on December 19, 1950. They later were sealed in the Oakland Temple in California and were married 71 years before Bill's passing. She was a beautician prior to her marriage. After marriage, she was mainly a homemaker and sold Avon, Tupperware and worked at a bank for a short time.

Her hobbies were knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, quilting, and making clothing for her kids and grandkids. Her family were recipients of many of the items that she created.

She was thrilled to visit Pentema, Italy, her dad's birthplace, along with Rome, Florence and Venice with her daughter Cathy and granddaughter Lisa. She was also able to meet her cousin Rosetta Viola in Alessandria, Italy. Another highlight was when her grandson, Joshua, brought her to a concert by Andrea Bocelli. She was a lifelong lover of opera. She was able to travel to many parts of the United States with 5 other couples in their travel trailers.

She is survived by her children Steven E. Stokes, Cathy M. Stokes (Fitzhugh), Richard D. Stokes, and William ("Billy") P. Stokes. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband William P. Stokes, sister Lena (Bevilaqua) Taylor, brother Richard Bevilaqua and daughter-in-law Janice Stokes.

Special thanks to Richard, her son, and grandson, Joshua, for taking care of her (and her husband) as they became older and needed more care. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Services will be at the LDS Church, 100 W. Center St., Kamas, UT on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.