Rita Imholz, a lifelong resident of Orange County and forty years-plus resident of Warwick, passed away on Monday, Sept. 29, 2021.
Born in Middletown, she was the oldest daughter of Berchman John and Rita (nee Johnson) Imholz.
Rita was married to Dr. Eugene Tomosivitch for many years.
Throughout her life, Rita had a passion for photography, painting, fitness, fashion, skiing and travel. She was able to see beauty in everyday life, often stopping, to her family and friends’ chagrin, to set up impromptu photo shoots of flowers, landscape and even garden insects. Her photographs included many Warwick area landscapes and now hang on the walls in several Warwick businesses as artwork.
During the 90’s, Rita turned her passion into a business. She was the owner and photographer at Apple Valley Photo in Warwick.
Professionally, Rita was an admired and trusted clinical social worker/psychotherapist for many years with the Orange County Department of Social Services and Orange County Department of Mental Health and, more recently, at The Center for Stress Reduction in Goshen.
Rita worked tirelessly during COVID to serve her patients and took pride in her ability to learn new digital skills that enabled her to treat her patients safely, virtually. She was an advocate and champion to help make mental health issues understood and acceptable to talk about openly.
However, Rita’s proudest life achievement was her three sons. She is survived by her three sons: Bryan Tomosivitch and his wife Miranda of Middletown, Matthew Tomosivitch and his wife Nina of Mooresville, N.C., and Christopher Tomosivitch and his wife Jennifer of Needham, Mass. Rita was a loving grandmother to Leila, Louis, Ted and Annie; and loyal friend and confidant to her dear sister Edwyna Alexander of Santa Fe, N.M.
She was also very blessed to have friends, cousins and other extended family who have been loyal supporters throughout her life, many of whom were involved in her care over the last few months. We thank them for their unflinching love.
Everybody loved Rita. Rita was one of the most unintentionally funny people you’ve ever met, with a wry and dry sense of humor. Her family will fondly remember her routine Sunday night phone calls and thoughtful care packages throughout the year to celebrate the holidays. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
A Catholic Funeral Mass was held Oct. 4th at Rita’s parish, St. Stephen RC Church, 75 Sanfordville Road, Warwick.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a cause near and dear to Rita’s heart: Catholic Charities, 1011 First Avenue, 11th floor, New York, NY 10022 or online cccsos.org.
Arrangements were entrusted to Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick. To send an online condolence, visit www.lsvpmemorialhome.com.