Rita Faye Pado

Rita (Vitatoe) Pado, lovingly known as “Mimi”, peacefully passed from this life at the age of 73 and went to be with her husband on Wednesday, July 15th, 2026. She leaves behind a family forever shaped by her love and her warm kitchen.

Born on March 26, 1953, in Caryville, Tennessee, Rita lived a life rooted in family, creativity, and the simple joys that make a house feel like home. She had a heart that was happiest near the water, hunting sea glass, admiring every shade of turquoise, and soaking up the sunshine. At home, she found peace in tending to her plants, getting lost in the pages of a good book and cooking for her family. Her legendary Texas Sheet cake became more than a dessert. It was birthdays, holidays, celebrations, comfort after hard times, and just one of the ways she said “I Love You” without ever needing the words.

Rita shared an extraordinary love story with her husband, Bob, affectionately known as Papa by those who loved him. Sharing nearly fifty-six years together, they built a life filled with adventures, movie dates, travels together, and a family that became their greatest accomplishment. Their love was quiet, steadfast, and enduring. Even after his passing, she carried him with her every day, and there is comfort in believing they are finally together once again.

The day her daughter, Kim, was born became the start of her most cherished title, “Mom”. Following was the birth of her son, Chad, her heart grew even fuller, both the lights of her life. Of every title she would ever hold, none meant more to her than being their mom. 

That only grew into more love and light – becoming “Mimi” to her grandchildren and later a great-grandmother felt like life's sweetest chapter. She celebrated simple ordinary days, every milestone, treasured every visit, and loved each of them with a heart that knew no limits. 

Her legacy lives on in stacks of well-loved books, treasures of sea glass, endless family photo albums, recipes passed from one generation to the next, and every pan of chocolate Texas sheet cake lovingly baked in her memory.

As we say goodbye, we find comfort imagining Mimi walking hand in hand with Papa once again, most likely along a turquoise water shoreline, where the sea glass is endless. 

We will miss her every day.

But what a gift it was to call her our Mimi.

Wait for us, Mimi. We’ll come running to you with open arms again. 

We love you forever. 

Rita will be deeply missed by her children, Kim (Chris) Seely and Chad (Kristen) Pado; his grandchildren, Ashley Breneman, Ali Armstrong, Miles Sprang, Olivia Pado, and Jack Pado; her great-grandchildren, Louis Breneman, Archer Breneman, Ruby Breneman, Kitt Ripley, Abel Armstrong, and Kamp Armstrong. Her brothers, Rick Vitatoe, Randy Vitatoe, and Sister Dee (Doug) Schreiner.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Pado, both of her parents, Frank Vitatoe, Joan Hughes and her brother, Frank Vitatoe Jr.

The family is being assisted by Roberts Funeral Home-Sherwood Chapel, Wooster, with arrangements.