Rita DeScenna Badia of Dayton, Ohio, formerly of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away peacefully in Hospice of Dayton on September 6, 2024. Born on November 23, 1929 in Warren, Ohio, she was the youngest of five children. She married her high school sweetheart Pietro (Pete) Badia in 1953 and they had 63 years together.
Rita spent the majority of her life in Bowling Green, Ohio where her husband Pete was on the faculty of Bowling Green State University.
She was a tireless volunteer in the community and involved in student life as well as the Wood County Hospital. For 35 years, Rita volunteered there as the buyer in the hospital gift shop, a position she truly loved. Upon retirement, Rita and Pete moved to the Dayton area to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Rita was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is survived by her daughter Patricia Nickel and husband Bryce Nickel of Centerville, Ohio and her daughter, Debra Wolf and husband Robert Wolf, of Loudon, Tennessee. She is also survived by her granddaughter Chelsea Hayes and husband Chad Hayes of Centerville, Ohio, and their children Chloe and Isabella Hayes. Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Pietro Badia, her parents August and Ruth DeScenna of Warren, Ohio and her four siblings. She will be missed daily by her family and many friends.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to Hospice of Dayton Foundation, 324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton, Oh 45420. Or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org.
