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Friends we will miss Submit your Friends We Will Miss to sunlakesnews@yahoo.com. Please keep remembrances to 400 words and include one recent, high-resolution photo. | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JULY 2026 | 69 Rita Bullington Laundreaux was born November 30, 1941, in South Dakota and passed away on March 22, 2026, in Sun Lakes. She leaves her husband of 66 years, Don, to navigate life without her. Rita and Don were high school sweethearts and when Rita's family moved to California while she was in high school, Don followed them. They married when they were young, just shortly after Rita's 18th birthday. She graduated high school as a married woman! Rita and Don have three children: Winnette, Donald Jr., and Greg. Rita, in addition to being a mom, was a hairdresser by trade and owned a beauty shop in Glendora, California. When Rita and Don semi-retired in 2002, they moved to Sun Lakes. They loved all the activities here, especially the music in the Ballroom on the weekends. They were known for their smooth dancing skills, and it was so fun to watch them move around the dance f loor. Rita and Don were involved in a number of the Sun Lakes social clubs and took full advantage of all they offered. Once they both retired, Rita learned to golf. She was a member of the Women's Club and LEGs. It was fun to watch her play, she would walk up on the tee box, place her ball, and then swing and then immediately walk back to her cart. No grass ever grew under her feet on the golf courses. Rita got involved in the District Delegate Assembly. She was elected as District 7's delegate in the first few years of living here. Both Rita and Don were engaged in all the District activities and made many friends throughout the community. The last 18 months were difficult as her memory started to fail. She would get frustrated that she couldn't remember a "damn" thing. However, she never lost her sense of humor during this period of transition. She continued to take walks as long as she could and enjoyed the sunshine and the beautiful surroundings throughout Sun Lakes. She would ride along with Don as he golfed, spending some quality time with the love of her life. Her legacy is her children, her three grandchildren, and her five great grandchildren. She is truly missed by her family and the many friends she made in Sun Lakes as well as the friends she made in her business. Her beautiful smile and her "white cap" are missing from our little world here in Sun Lakes. Don misses his life partner, but his Sun Lakes friends and family are keeping him busy. A memorial service for Rita will be held at a later date.