Mrs. Rita Hope Steinback

Rita Hope Steinback, 84, died Monday, February 3, 2014 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC surrounded by her family. Born April 9, 1929, she was a longtime resident and native of the Chicago area, she was born the sixth daughter to the late Louis and Lena Batkin. Upon her retirement, she lived in Delray Beach Florida and most recently, Asheville NC. She is preceded in death by her parents, first husband and five sisters. She is survived by her husband, Sidney Wolk; sons, Jeffrey (Patti), Michael (Cathy), Richard (Sue), grandchildren, John Coleman (Tracy), Judson (Joy), Kimmy, Matthew (engaged to Brie), Abbie, Zachary, Ryan, Joshua and Megan and five great-granddaughters Ava, Julia, Mya, Cidney and Jayda. Rita possessed an unrelenting passion to serve the aged, spending 40 + years of her life in professional senior nursing home administration. She was recognized throughout her industry for her exceptional leadership and advocacy for the very highest quality standards in care and service to the aged. Even during her retirement she served and volunteered unselfishly as an Ombudsman in south Florida as she continued to champion the rights of nursing home patients, and was appropriately recognized and honored with the “Ombudsman of the Year” award in 2012. One of her most admirable qualities was her belief in the good of people and her underlying commitment to the social good, for which she proudly committed her life’s work. Ultimately, her passion in life was her family and her true legacy lies within the many lives she touched on both a personal and professional level. Rita was a proud and noble person with an indomitable soul who lived her life with great strength in both spirit and conviction. While her physical presence will be missed, she will live on forever in the loving memories of her family, friends and others she so richly touched and influenced during her amazing life. A funeral service will be held 10:30 AM, Friday, February 7, 2014 in the chapel of Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue. Interment will be held privately in IL. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at Lakeside Congregation, Lake Cook Road in Highland Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the City of Hope, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society or the American Cancer Society.

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Mrs. Rita Hope Steinback

April 9, 1929 - February 3, 2014