Rita "TOOTSIE" Vasquez was born on November 7th, 1949 to Rudolfo Rios and Rita Ontiveros. She was the first of their nine children. Tootsie grew up and met Joe Vasquez, who became the love of her life. The two became married and settled down in a home they created in Mentone, CA where they had three children, Rachel, Jose, and Isaac.

Throughout her life, Tootsie became a devoted teacher and a hard working truck driver. She was a skilled homemaker but her most known roke was that of a caring family member who loved one and all. Besides her three children, Tootsie's kindness and love shines down upon her grandchildren, Regina, Ernie, Kristen, Jose, Jazmaine, Sergio, Nicholas, Dominic, Jaelyn, and baby Rachel. As well as her great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Josephine, Remi, Leiah, and Sebastian.