Fiorita Louise "Rita" Winnie Curtis

Fiorita Louise "Rita" Winnie Curtis, 96, of Little Rock died Wednesday, April 6, after a wonderful life full of interests and abilities, friendships and love. Rita was born in 1914 in East Orange, N.J., to James Howard Winnie and Fiorita Louise Winnie. She was predeceased by her parents, one sister, Irene Winnie Hansen, and by her husband of 64 years, Wallace Ira Curtis. She is survived by one daughter, Irene Winnie Davis (George), grandson, Wallace Scott Davis (Libby) all of Little Rock, grandson, George Holmes Davis Jr. (Kelly) of Los Angeles, granddaughter, Laura Davis Coarsey (Jay) of Carbondale, Colo., and six great-grandchildren: Wally and Wyatt Davis of Little Rock, Lucy and Clay Davis of Los Angeles and Jaxson and River Coarsey of Carbondale, Colo. Wally Curtis worked his way through Columbia University in New York as a jazz musician. Obtaining a business degree in the depth of the depression, he continued in the music business, became a part of (and business manager for) the Russ Morgan Orchestra, for about 20 years. Rita and Wally married in 1936 and for 10 years followed the movement of the "Big Band" all over the United States. In Chicago in 1937, Irene was born, and they stayed three weeks before moving on. In 1946 they arrived in Van Nuys, Calif., and established their home base. As a young person, Rita's talent had led to work as a graphic artist for the A.B. Dick Co. of New York City. An early pleasure was travel to Bermuda to produce sketches for travel brochures. Her interest in art was lifelong. She was prolific in oil painting, watercolor, and later printmaking. She taught watercolor in California. She was active with the Niguel Art Association, and served as its President. At age 74, she had a one-woman show at the Irvine, Calif., Arts Center. Rita's other lifelong focus was swimming. Since childhood, Rita had been a swimmer, became a WSI swim instructor, and whenever in one place long enough would go to the local "Y" or public pool and offer her services as a swim teacher. When, in 1946, they moved to California, she began teaching at the Crystal Plunge in Van Nuys. Just after World War II, backyard pools began to be built in the area and the demand for swim instruction rose dramatically. In 1951 the first Rita Curtis Swim School was built, in Van Nuys. The next year a RCSS opened in Woodland Hills, and eventually there were five schools. Wally phased out the music business and joined Rita in the swim business. Rita coached high school teams in swimming and diving, and became an AAU judge of diving and synchronized swimming. Even after retirement to Laguna Niguel, Calif., Rita continued to teach swimming in her backyard pool. Throughout her life, Rita was generous with her time, talents and wisdom. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, relative, friend and neighbor. She "never met a stranger." Her son-in-law, George Davis Sr., has said "Rita Curtis reminded me of what made our great country-freedom for all here. Her qualities-love, work, and incredible endurance. She battled until her last breath, but always with dignity, love and respect for others." In 2004, Rita moved to Little Rock to be near her family here. She has been an active member of the FLB and the Loca Luna group, has enjoyed visits to the Arkansas Arts Center, and Sundays with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. The family is in deep appreciation of her recent caregivers Marsha Laboy, Queen Hampton, Geraldine Fourte, Suprena Trotter and Stephanie Stewart, and Arkansas Hospice. At Rita's request, there will be no memorial service. Memorial donations may be made to the UAMS Reynolds Institute on Aging, 4301 West Markham, #748, Little Rock 72205; AR Hospice, Inc., 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock 72116; Arkansas Arts Center, P.O. Box 2137, Little Rock 72203; Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, 2417 North Tyler St., Little Rock, Ark. 72207 or the charity of your choice.