Rita Vicki Carey's Obituary
Rita Vicki Carey, known affectionately to those she loved as Vicki, Sam, Mom, and Lovey, passed away at the age of 89 leaving behind a legacy of love, generosity and grace. She was a woman of profound faith, a dedicated professional, and the radiant heart of her family and friends.
Born at Lennox Hospital in New York City, Vicki spent her childhood in Greenwich, Connecticut. Her early years were defined by a special bond with her grandfather, Willie (William Charles Mercier) and a love for horses and sailing. Vicki graduated from Sacred Heart in Greenwich and went on to attend Connecticut College.
It was in 1955, through her classmate Mary Ellis Carey, that she met the love of her life, Edwin “Ed” Joseph Carey Jr. On their first date, Ed told Vicki that he would marry her someday. Ed went on to serve as a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps for five years. During that time they were engaged to be married in June of 1958. They broke the engagement but soon after met at a party and eloped to North Carolina that very night. So began a marriage of almost five decades and a love story filled with devotion, partnership and unwavering commitment.
During the early years of their marriage, Vicki and Ed were residents of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Summit, New Jersey and Hinsdale, Illinois. It was during these years that they were blessed with and raised their five children. Vicki masterfully juggled her children’s activities, her tennis matches and her volunteer commitments, all while regularly opening her home to friends and extended family.
Vicki found her deepest happiness in Ed and her children, pouring her love into them to ensure each felt uniquely supported and cherished throughout their lives.
In 1978, Vicki and Ed moved to Duncan, Oklahoma. Though it was a dramatic departure from their East Coast roots, they embraced the community with open arms. It was here that Vicki launched a remarkably successful career in real estate. With a natural gift for connecting people to homes, she turned clients into friends and neighbors. At a time when the average home price in Duncan was $60,000, Vicki’s talent and work ethic led her to surpass over $1 million in sales in a single year. Her outstanding work earned Vicki a place in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame. Vicki was also very active in the Duncan community where she served on the Board of the Duncan Chamber of Commerce, President of the Realtors Association and Hestian Study Club as well as a lay leader at the Assumption Catholic Church.
Despite her professional accolades and active community participation, Vicki’s true calling was her family. When she became a grandmother, she chose the name "Lovey" which perfectly captured the essence of her spirit. And Ed became known as “Big”.
Lovey poured into her grandchildren much like she did her own, embracing them in her love and light.
In her final years Lovey lived in Dallas, TX and enjoyed cheering on and supporting her grandchildren who lived near and far.
Lovey was a woman of deep, unwavering faith; her children often remarked that she was their "most direct line to God." She found joy in the simple and the sublime: gardening, needlepoint, traveling, and music. She will be remembered for her love of family, friends, energetic spirit, and her beautiful light-filled smile. Lovey will be dearly missed though her children and grandchildren take comfort in knowing she and Big are dancing again together in heaven.
Lovey was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edwin Joseph Carey Jr.
She is survived by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Odessa Bourne (Bill) and Lucy Lail (Don).
She is also survived by her five children and their spouses: Christa Carey Dunn (Richard), Edwin Joseph Carey III “Trip”, Lisa Carey Holt (Hugh), James Peter Carey “Jim” (Tami), and Natalie Carey Fielder (Richard).
She leaves behind a lasting legacy through her eleven grandchildren and their spouses: Jonathan Dunn “Jake”, Alexander Dunn “Alec” (Lizzie), Hope Palladino (Robert), Edwin Carey IV “Chip” (Clare), Natalie Carey, Elizabeth Walker “Lizzy” (Matt), Patrick Holt, Caitlin Thurman “Cait” (Andrew), Katherine Fielder “Katie”, Sarah Fielder, and Charles Fielder “Charlie”.
Finally, she is survived by her four great-grandchildren: Benton, Isabella, and Arthur Palladino, and Edwin Walker “Teddy”.
Lovey’s family will gather graveside to celebrate her life so well lived and so deeply loved on June 6, 2026, in Duncan, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please dance with someone you love.
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