Rita Ann Gonzales Young

Rita Ann Gonzales Young of Steubenville passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, as an in-patient at Akron City Hospital. On January 11, 1947, she was born in Mannington, WV, one of seven and the only daughter of the late Henry and Jacqueline Snider Gonzales. Rita grew up in Marion County, West Virginia, graduating from Mannington High School in 1964. Unlike most teens, her family knew from an early age that she was an extraordinary young lady. Rita was a very giving person; she was doing the Lord’s work on Earth. Her love for people transcended throughout her life; she was always able to find the good in everyone. Her brothers would often say, “Rita was a mother to many and her brother’s greatest defender!” Her involvement with her children’s lives had no end, she did not drive, but that did not stop her in any way from missing an event. Her daughters well remembered her volunteer efforts as a member of the Bluebird and Campfire troops; for her patience she had shown throughout their childhood, she had been thought of as a saint. Rita had an artsy side to her, she enjoyed teaching and creating items from her ceramics class, but her true joy that had been passed down through generations was her writing ability; she loved to write. Rita will most of all be remembered for the love she had for her family and all the good they brought to her life. There was not a selfish bone in her body. In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her husband, of 30 years, John (Edd) Young, brothers James and Danny Ray Gonzales, son-in-law Chuck Graham, and great-grandson Colton Charles Koons. Left to cherish Rita’s memory is her son Peter (Laurie) Wounaris of Mingo Junction, daughters Angela Graham of Atwater, Ohio, Carol (John) Thomas of Akron, Trula (Dave) Rea of Dillonvale, and Petera(Gregory) Robinson of Steubenville, brothers Edward (Amy) Gonzales, Jackson (Joanne) Gonzales, John (Sally) Gonzales, Steve Gonzales, grandchildren Chuckie (Sandy) Graham, Jennifer (Harry) Koons Stephanie (Garyn) Graham, and Joseph Graham, Joseph ( Amber) Wounaris, Jonathon (Hope) Thomas, Patricia ( Ben) Thomas, Felicia (Hank) Thomas, Gunner (Jessica) Rea, Brittaney Robinson, Gregory (Chelsea) Robinson Jr., Samantha, and Steven Robinson, Stevie and Jacob Wounaris, and twenty-three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Wednesday 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, where services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 am. Rev. Tina Nees will officiate. Interment will be at the convenience of her family. Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com 304-748-3219.