Loretta Elizabeth Sanseverino passed away January 7, 2018 in Tulsa, at the age of 91. Her friends and family called her "Rita." She was born April 12, 1926 in Norman, OK, to parents Noah and Allie McCalip as the middle child of seven. She was predeceased by her husband, Jim Sanseverino, and her brother Charlie McCalip and his wife, Princess; her brother Jack McCalip and his wife, Norma; her sister Lorene Groseclose and her husband Paul; and her sister Irene Williams and her husband, Lawrence; and by brother-in-law Lawrence Hinson.

Rita is survived by her daughter Lynda Shoemake and her husband Jerry of Morris, OK; her sister Earlene Hinson; and her brother Albert and his wife, Ann of Sand Springs, OK. She is also survived by 11 nieces and 9 nephews and their spouses, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Rita went to cosmetology school in OKC. She was a hairdresser in the salon at Brown-Dunkin department store in Tulsa in the early 1950's. Later, she owned her own shop in Norman, then Sand Springs, and then purchased Polly's Beauty Shop in Tulsa in the 1970's.

After she married Jim Sanseverino, she sold her shop and he sold his nursery business (now Southwood). They retired to travel - touring Europe, Hawaii, the Caribbean islands, and many places in the U.S. They both loved to fish and traveled often to Canada and Mexico, as well as lakes in Oklahoma, with friends Paul and Wanda Grace. After Jim's death, she decided to move to University Village Retirement Community where she made many new friends and participated in most of the activities offered. Rita especially enjoyed Wii Bowling and was good enough to join a league team.

She loved being with family and liked big family get-togethers where everyone cooks something to bring - especially at Thanksgiving. And at Christmas, she enjoyed being at Lynda and Jerry's with his family. Jerry's family embraced her; and those who live close by, visited her or stayed with her while she was in the hospital or a skilled nursing facility.

Rita was adventurous, generous, and loved her whole family.

Funeral service for Rita will be Wednesday, January 10, at 2 pm at Moore's Funeral Home Southlawn Chapel; 9350 East 51st Street, Tulsa. Viewing from noon to 2 on Wednesday.

Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233