Rita Mae Tripathy

Rita Mae Tripathy, age 74, of Dover, a beloved mother, grandmother, wife and friend, is now at peace following a lengthy and hard fought illness, passed away early Monday morning, April 20, 2009.The youngest of three children born to the late Dewey V. and Mae Jewel (Wilson) Landers, Rita was born at Canton, Ohio on January 7, 1935.Rita graduated from the former Lincoln High School at Canton; and from an early age knew a career in nursing was a path she wished to take. She graduated from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing at Cleveland and soon returned to Aultman Hospital at Canton where she began working as a recovery room nurse.It was during this time that a young surgeon, who was fulfilling his residence requirement, caught her attention. The couple soon began to share idle conversations and enjoying snacks together in the hospital cafeteria. On September 30, 1956, Rita married Dr. Ghana Shyam Tripathy. For nearly 52 years the couple shared a deep love and admiration for one another and raised five children.Shortly after their marriage began, Rita selflessly gave of her self to begin rearing a family. As the couple grew to a family of seven, Rita soon became a master at balancing the busy schedules of her five children and ensuring their safe arrival to their many activities whether it was a scouting function or a school activity. When it came to volunteering, Rita was never reluctant and took great pride in the opportunities that her children so lovingly afforded her to help make one of their functions better as she supported each of them in any way possible.Traveling was one passion that Rita and Ghana shared together. On one trip in particular they managed to travel around the world in a little under two months, returning home to their family just three days before Christmas. In addition to numerous family trips to India, Rita traveled to Paris, London, Russia, Greece, Napal, Australia, and even took a ship through the Panama Canal. Rita was a long-time member of the Dover Church of Christ and had been an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star for more than fifty years, where she served as worthy matron on three separate occasions. She also held numerous other positions throughout her tenure with the organization.Taking a talent that had been handed down from her mother, Rita took her sewing capabilities to a new level. From 1986 through the mid 1990’s, Rita and her daughter, Cynthia, owned and operated the Center Aisle bridal shop at New Philadelphia. For those years, she enjoyed the relationships that were built as she helped her customers prepare for their special day.Rita is survived by five loving children, Mark Tripathy of Cincinnati, Sushila (Donnie) Moore of Barberton, Indira (Harlan) Dillon of Alexandria, South Dakota, Dilip (Janet) Tripathy of Cincinnati, and Cynthia (James) Dummermuth of Chillicothe; a sister, Fern Baker of Manchester, a brother-in-law, Harendra Tripathy of Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India; and a great-niece, Padma Tripathy-Muduli of Chennai, India. Ten grandchildren; Nathan, Mathilde, and David Tripathy, Lydia and Miles Moore, Colton Dillon, Nikolaus Tripathy, and Christian, Rajani, and Hunter Dummermuth complete the family.Rita will be especially missed by dear friends, Josephine Lowery, George and Joyce Klamut, and Michael Rubino.In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Ghana Shyam Tripathy, who passed away on July 31, 2008, a brother, Dewey V. Landers, Jr., and a daughter-in-law, Melissa Hilton-Tripathy.The family cannot begin to express their since gratitude toward those who have lovingly cared for Rita and Ghana throughout the past several years: Marlyn Drummer, Lola Henry, Esther Wengerd, Mary Kohler, Anna Troyer, Carol Miller, the Indian Community, Dr. Paul McFadden, the Hospice Staff and the doctors and countless others who looked after the couple in the absence of their children. Your kindness and generosity reaches far beyond words.The family will receive friends on Friday, April 24, 2009, from 9:30 AM â?? 11:30 A.M. in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover. Services for Rita will begin at 11:30 with the Order of the Eastern Star and Minister, Randy Chapman leading a celebration of Rita’s life in the funeral center. Following the service, the family wishes to invite guests to join them in the Hospitality Room where a luncheon and fellowship will be shared. In keeping with Rita’s wishes, her body will be cremated following services.The family requests that donations in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Tripathy may be sent to Utkal Charities, Inc. 131 Oakmont Drive, Dover, Ohio 44622; or to a charity of the giver’s choice.