Rita Formica Arpaia, 82, of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2022, with family by her side. Rita was born on September 28, 1939, in New Haven, Connecticut, she was a daughter of the late Louis and Nellie Formica. She was preceded in death by her brother, Larry Formica.

In addition to her husband, James Stephen Arpaia, she is survived by her stepchildren, James C. Arpaia (Cheryl), Phyllis Shackleford (Randy), and Janice Englehort (Peter); six step-grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; twin brother, Richard Formica of Guilford, CT; and sister, Josephine Villecco of Wallingford, CT.

Rita graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven and Southern Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in Education. She taught in the North Haven School System and California. After that she worked as an editor at Ginn and Co. in Boston and Prentis Hall in New Jersey. After retiring from Prentis Hall as Vice President, she started her own company, Literature Place.com, focusing on literature resources for teachers.

Rita most of all loved being with family and friends. She will be sorely missed by all whose loves she touched. A memorial service for Rita will be held at a later date. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials in honor of Rita, may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.