Lucita E. Rios

Lucita “Lucy” Ermio Rios passed peacefully away in her sleep on August 12, 2024. She went on to glory comfortably and without pain, in the presence of her eldest grandson and the kind and loving staff at Fairfield Post Acute Rehabilitation. Born to Emilio Ermio Sr. and Luz S. Navarro on April 17, 1941 in Negros Occidental, Philippines, Lucita was destined to live a full and joyous life. She was one who took education very seriously. Having been a sickly child, she put a pause on her education before reaching secondary schooling, and did not return until her younger brother enrolled into high school. In 1963, at the completion of their high school years, they became the first set of siblings in the history of Manila High School to be given the first and second highest honors (Emilio, her brother—valedictorian; Lucita—salutatorian). In 1972, she graduated with a dual degree of B.S. in Education in Filipino and English and taught Pilipino and Philippine literature at the high school level. She was a bright, young teacher beloved by all of her students, even though she only taught for one year. In 1973, she immigrated to the United States, following her mother and brother, by whom she had been petitioned. In 1975, she met and quickly fell in love with her husband Joseph Henry Rios in Fallon, Nevada. Their love story was a whirlwind romance, and, although they spent many years apart, they kept a beautiful, lifelong friendship and would often speak on the phone daily. In 1978, Lucita gave birth to a healthy baby girl, her only child, Henricita “Enyee.” In 1979, along with her mother and newborn daughter, she moved from Texas, where she had been living with her husband, to the sunny shores of California to be closer to her brother and his family, and to pave a new life for herself and her beautiful child. She settled in Benicia and worked for many years as a sales clerk and supervisor at Rite Aid. She will forever be known as “‘Lucy’, the brave cashier that chased shoplifters out into the parking lot.” In her later years, she retired, cared for her ailing mother, and played an instrumental role in the upbringing of her two grandsons, the jewels of her life. Lucita was a lifelong lover of art, and in her sixties and seventies, took painting and drawing classes at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill. She was also a devout Roman Catholic who was involved in the local chapter of the Legion of Mary, as well as the traditional church choir. She was a fabulous cook, and she kept her family fed and nourished for as long as she was able to do so. Even in the throes of chemotherapy treatment and losing her sense of taste, she still managed to make the most delicious meals for those she loved. Lucita was a kind, intelligent, humorous soul who loved with her whole heart. She is preceded in death by her beloved parents and her eldest half sister, Alicia Ermio. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Rios, her loving daughter Henricita R. Younger, her brother Emilio Ermio Jr., her half-sister Anita Pacturan, her grandsons Liam R. Younger and Landon T. Younger, and many loving nieces, nephews, family members and friends. Viewing will be held at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel on Monday, August 19, beginning at 2:00 P.M. A vigil will be held on the same day from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. A funeral mass will be held at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Benicia on the following day, Tuesday, August 20, at 11:00 A.M.

Lucita E. Rios

April 17, 1941 - August 12, 2024