Rita Selmi, 83, of Dayton, Nevada passed away on
September 9, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Rita was born on November 11, 1940, to Annunziata
and Ruggero Quilici in Lammari (Lucca) Italy. She came
to the US in 1948 when she was 7 years old with her
mother and her two brothers Salvatore and Ledo. Their
father had come to the Quilici Ranch in Dayton in 1946
to work with his brother. In 1954 her brother Larry was
born in Carson City. She attended school in the old
schoolhouse in what is now the Dayton Museum and
graduated from Dayton High School in 1958. The day
after she graduated, she went to work as a secretary at
the Nevada Industrial Commission for several years.
Rita met and married Domenic Selmi in 1959, they
began to operate the Quilici ranch in 1960 and continued
to operate it together until Domenic’s death in 1993.
Rita carried on the operation of the ranch until her
retirement in 2007. Rita and Domenic had three sons,
Gary, Danny and Randy. Rita loved traveling and was
fortunate to have traveled to several different countries.
She was most proud of her Italian heritage, returning to
her beloved Italy 12 times to visit relatives and friends.
She continued to enjoy traveling through the years with
her sons and friends. Rita was most passionate about
her faith, family and continuing to carry on the legacy of
the Quilici Ranch. From her family came the joy and the
strength to face the struggles of life. Her happiest times
were at family gatherings. Rita’s family extended far
beyond Dayton; to Gerlach, Virginia City, Reno,
California, Idaho, Lammari, Italy and Brazil.
Rita is proceeded in death by her parents, husband
Domenic and brother Salvatore. She is survived by three
sons Gary and his two children Stevie and Dillon, Danny,
his wife Lisa and their three children, Domenic, Michael
and Thomas, Randy, his wife Stacey, their three children
Christie, Jamie and Cody and eight great grandchildren,
also her two brothers Ledo and Larry Quilici, as well
as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A private service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please send donations
to St. Judes Children’s Hospital.