CAPLINGER, Rita Gay 85, of Oakwood, OH passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family on Friday, October 21, 2016. She was preceded in death by her parents, Catherine Rita and Russell Albert Kopp, and her daughter, Linda Hamilton. She is survived by three children, Edward (Nancy) Caplinger, Ellen Branigan, and Patrica Rubel. Rita was a grandmother to 8 grandchildren and a great-grandmother to 15 with more on the way. She was born on 5/30/1931 in Topeka, KS, but grew up in Dayton, OH. She was a survivor of childhood polio and while doctors said she'd never walk, she did. Even more amazingly, she learned and loved dancing which brought her much joy and many carefree times while growing up. In 1950, she graduated from Julienne High School in Dayton and then attended a floral design program at the University of Dayton and spent time working in a flower shop. An avid reader all her life, she put this love to work as the owner of a small used book store, The Book Stop, in Oakwood. She loved being outside especially on her back porch or the cabin in Canada sipping a cup of tea. Her gardening skills were unparalleled as is shown with her giant Magnolia tree in front of her home in Oakwood. She was strong and free-spirited and loved the uniqueness of people. She was a dog-lover and owned many breeds including a Saint Bernard, Australian Sheppard, Newfoundland, and her most beloved, Bulldogs. Rita had a thirst for knowledge, was commonly found listening to a radio program especially on NPR, loved a good intellectual conversation and embraced anything that involved going against the grain. She was the kind of mom, grandmother, and friend who gave you freedom to be who you are, always had an unusual fact or story to tell, taught you manners and the value of a thank you card, and pushed you to explore and experience life while supporting you along the way. She will be missed greatly, but her legacy will definitely continue in those she leaves behind as we are writers, book and music-lovers, artists, gardeners, and caretakers of others and the world around us because of her. Private services will be held at a later date. Rita loved libraries and used them to their fullest extent, especially the research librarians; please consider donating to the Wright Memorial Public Library in Oakwood or to PolioChildren.org.