Rita Magidson

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Rita Magidson, our beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and best friend that one could ever ask for. Rita passed on July 25, 2026, at 80 years old. While we are devastated by her passing, we take comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain.

Rita grew up in Jeffrey Manor, on the South Side of Chicago. She graduated early from Bowen High School, before obtaining her bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois majoring in English. It was there that she met her prince charming, Elliot, on a blind date her freshman year at age 17. Elliot was 19. Rita says she fell in love instantly. They married at the Knickerbocker Hotel in downtown Chicago. Rita and Elliot would be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary next week.

She taught high school English for a very short time, before moving to Denver, Colorado for Elliot’s medical internship. Her daughter, Emma Dale, was born here. Soon after the family moved to an Air Force base in Wakkanai, Japan where Elliot quickly became the chief medical officer. Their Son, Matthew Aaron, was born here.  After Japan, the family moved to Tampa, Florida, and in December of 1977 they moved to Wichita, Kansas.

In Wichita, they joined the Hebrew Congregation where Rita found a wonderful community and the most amazing friends. Rita, always an overachiever, became the first female president of the Congregation. She was also Sisterhood president, Hadassah president, Hebrew School Director, Board Member, and the list goes on.

Rita and Elliot traveled across the United States and the globe, including trips to Africa, China, Australia, and cruises to South America, the Amazon River, Europe, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, etc. And she visited her favorite city, Las Vegas, whenever possible. Rita was an avid gamer – old school games. She played Mahjong, Bridge, Michigan Rummy, Mexican Train, Scrabble, you name it, she played it and usually won.

Rita’s five grandchildren were her greatest joy. She rarely missed a birthday, graduation, or holiday, despite residences in different states. The best part of every summer was the visits to Grandma’s house.

Rita also experienced tremendous sadness. She lost her son Matthew Aaron on May 6, 2018. He was only 46 years old. She lost her former daughter-in-law, Michelle, just a few years later, on July 26, 2021.

Rita is survived by her husband Elliot Magidson; her sister, Maxine Weksler; her daughter, Emma Slattery; her grandchildren, Connor and Lexie Magidson, Nick, Jessica and Rebecca Slattery; and her son-in-law, Kevin Slattery. She also leaves behind countless wonderful friends.

To know Rita was to love her. We will miss her larger-than-life presence, her incredible sense of humor, her magnetic personality, her wit, her laugh, her warmth, her beauty, her voice…. We will dearly miss everything about her.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Downing & Lahey East Mortuary (due to Construction at Hebrew Congregation), followed by the burial at Hebrew Congregation Cemetery, and lunch at the Hebrew Congregation, 1850 North Woodlawn.

A memorial has been established with the Hebrew Congregation, 1850 N. Woodlawn, Wichita, KS 67208.