Rita F. Morton

Rita Frances Morton, beloved mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, sister, sister-in-law, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026, at the age of 88. She leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories that will forever be treasured by her family and friends.

Born on August 30, 1937, in San Francisco, California, to Marie and Joseph Vogl, Rita moved with her family to Redwood City, California, in 1942. She attended Mt. Carmel for grade school and Notre Dame High School. After graduating, she attended Zweegman Medical Secretary School.

While working at Emporium in her early twenties, Rita met the love of her life, Richard “Rich” Burton Morton. After dating for a couple of years, they were married at Mt. Carmel Church in August 1959.

Rita and Rich lived in San Jose before settling in Redwood City, where they raised their family. Rita is survived by her five children: daughters Kathleen Edwards and Jennifer MacDonald (Dan), and sons Philip (Barbara), Ted (Caroline), and Andrew (Christine).

She was the proud grandma of Joshua (Rachel), Sarah, Timothy (Jenay), Zachary (Kelly), Gregory (Cassi), Joaquin, Aidan, Noah, and Nina; and great-grandma to Paislee, Evangeline, Magnolia, Pierson, Stetson, and Harper.

Rita was a beautiful woman with a bright smile and a twinkle in her eye. She had a fun personality, a joyful laugh and a special way of making everyone feel comfortable and welcome.

One of Rita’s passions was sewing, and she was quite the seamstress. She made her daughters’ clothes for the first ten years of their lives, as well as both of their wedding dresses and all of their maternity clothes.

Once their fifth child headed off to high school, Rita began working as a medical secretary in a private doctor’s office, where she worked for ten years. In retirement, she took up quilting and made each of her children a king-size bed quilt. They were magnificent!

Rita was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a member of St. Pius Church for more than 50 years. She was active in many aspects of parish life, including the Women’s Club. She was a historic Josie True Award winner and served as a lector and sacristan. Along with her husband, Rich, Rita also provided grief support and counseling to families through their church.

Another passion of Rita’s was being a volunteer at Kaiser Hospital. She loved working with families in the outpatient surgery department every Wednesday for 15 years.

One of Rita’s most favorite thing to do, she loved taking long road trips with Rich. Together, they traveled throughout the United States every September for 15 years, creating many beautiful memories along the way.

Rita is survived by her sister, Dolores Centis (Jim); her brother, Art Vogl (Carol); her sister-in-law, Kathy Vogl; and an abundance of nieces and nephews.

Rita was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rich; her parents, Marie and Joseph Vogl; her brother, Joseph Vogl;her parents-in-law, Margaret and Paul Morton; her sister-in-law, Mary Margaret Morton; and her brother-in-law, Paul Morton.

A public visitation and Rosary will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at St. Pius Catholic Church, 1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City, CA 94061.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Rita’s honor to St. Pius Parish.