Arlete Natividad Camara Rhicard

Arlete Natividad Camara Rhicard, known as "Nita", died in Loveland, Colorado on January 13, 2013. She was born September 8, 1927 on Madeira Island, off the coast of Portugal. She was one of 11 children, and she and the family immigrated to Brazil when she was a child. Both of her parents died when she was about 12 years of age, and she then went to lived with the Lambeths, an American missionary family. When the Lambeth family returned to the United States on furlough, they brought her with them and at the age of 17 she had to learn English as she started college here. She attended Atlantic Union College in Massachusetts and graduated with a degree in nursing. She married Aubrey Rhicard in 1951 in Corpus Christy, Texas while he was in military training in Texas. Aubrey went by "Buddy", and shortly after their wedding he was sent to Korea where he served for a year. After he served in the military they moved to Stoneham, Massachusetts where Buddy and Nita were employed at New England Sanitarium. While they were there, both of their daughters, Vickie and Patty were born. The whole family moved to Chicago in 1959, where Nita and Buddy were employed at Hinsdale Sanitarium. Nita held several positions in the hospital, starting first in the maternity ward and eventually in surgery. They both retired in 1990, and retired to Orlando, FL. Their retirement years were spent traveling across the country in their motor home, visiting family and friends. In 2007 they relocated to a retirement community in Fletcher, North Carolina. In 2008 they moved to Bristol, Tennessee to be near their daughter, Patty. Following Buddy's death in 2010, Nita relocated to Loveland, Colorado to be near her daughter, Vickie. Nita was preceded in death by her parents, 10 siblings, and her husband, Buddy. She is survived by her daughter, Vickie and husband, Daryl Bohlender of Loveland, as well as her daughter, Patty and husband, David Stufflestreet of Bristol, Tennessee. She has 3 grandchildren, and 3 step-grandchildren. Nita was a life-long member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and died with the faith and assurance that her salvation was secure. A remembrance service is being planned for 4:30 p.m. on January 26, 2013 at Bethel Lutheran Church, 328 Walnut, Windsor, CO, 80550. In lieu of flowers the family has suggested contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, CO 80524 www.pathways-care.org .