Rita Metcalfe

Rita Schick Metcalfe, 65, of Cincinnati, Ohio and Bluffton, South Carolina, died Monday, August 4, 2014 with her family by her side at her home in Mount Adams after a brief and valiant battle with aggressive bladder cancer.

Born to the late Charlene and Joseph John Schick, December 30, 1948 in Dunkirk, Indiana, Rita graduated salutatorian from Dunkirk High School in 1967, received a BS in education from the University of Indiana in 1971 – where she served as president of Alpha Phi sorority, and earned a Masters in Special Education from the University of Cincinnati in 1973. She taught special education in the Oak Hills School system from 1972 to 1978, was a substitute teacher in the Wyoming School system for over 15 years, served as a private tutor for many years, and was a reading tutor with Low Country Literacy Volunteers in Bluffton, South Carolina at the time of her death.

She married Taylor Brooks Metcalfe in 1976, and they lived together in Wyoming, Ohio for 24 years before relocating to Glendale, Ohio in 2000 and then, finally, to Mt. Adams in 2013. Together, they enjoyed golfing, gardening, traveling, spending time in their second home in Bluffton, South Carolina on the Belfair golf course, and relaxing at the Metcalfe family vacation home in Kennebunk Beach, Maine.

Rita was very active in Wyoming Presbyterian Church as an elder, deacon, clerk of session, interim Christian education director, assisted with trips to the Drop Inn Center in Over-the-Rhine, and even played in the hand bell choir. An enthusiastic gardener, Rita was a member of the Wyoming Garden Club and, more recently, in the Mt. Adams garden club. An avid golfer and outstanding competitor, she won women’s club championships at Wyoming Golf Club and Heritage Club in Cincinnati, Ohio – this, after not once laying her hands on a golf club until her marriage to Taylor. She held memberships at Wyoming Golf Club in Cincinnati, Coldstream Country Club in Anderson, Belfair Golf Club in Bluffton, South Carolina, and Webhannet Golf Club in Kennebunk Beach, Maine.

She is survived by her husband, Taylor; two daughters, Heidi Metcalfe (Samuel Van Dusen) Lewis, Brooklyn, New York, and Blair (Christopher Joseph) Scheks, Seattle, Washington; two brothers, Joseph J. (Joyce) Schick Jr., Angola, Indiana and Paul A. Schick, Dunkirk, Indiana; and longtime childhood friend Joan Caldwell. Rita is the beloved aunt to seven nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Cincinnati for surrounding Rita with assistance and gentle compassion during her final days.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, 10:00 AM at Wyoming Presbyterian Church, 225 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, Ohio 45215. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to the Rita S. Metcalfe Foundation, c/o Greater Cincinnati Foundation, 200 West Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.