Rita L. (Dansereau) Bapties born August 8, 1925 in Providence, RI, and passed away peacefully at 95 years old on March 18, 2021. Her parents were the late Margaret (Finnegan) and Sherman Dansereau. She was the wife of the late George D. Bapties for 54 years.
Rita worked for the American Red Cross in Cranston during World War II and held other business administrative positions until she became a mother. She also volunteered with the Parent Teacher Association in Warwick Schools and the Girl Scouts. She summered in Snug Harbor, RI for 37 years. Rita was one of the founding members of the Warwick Figure Skaters (WFS) and volunteered for the organization for more than 46 years as a board member, coordinator for the Learn to Skate program and Basics competitions, and assistant for annual skating shows and regional events. Rita took up ice skating competitively in her 50s and was part of the first adult precision skating team of WFS, the Moonlighters. The team won a Silver in the Colonial competition and fifth at the Eastern competition in 1990. She stopped skating in her 70s, but continued to enjoy water aerobics and yoga and was a member of the Warwick Senior Center and Sts. Rose & Clement Church. Rita was never comfortable in the spotlight for recognition of her contributions and accomplishments. She was a kind and generous caregiver for many years to both her parents and husband. She enjoyed being involved with family and particularly her grandchildren’s lives. She appreciated seeing her great-grandchildren. She enthusiastically made family holidays memorable events for 4 generations.
She is survived by her daughter Cynthia J. Bapties and husband George M. Beshers; grandson Erik J. Fearing and husband Erik J. Gullard; granddaughter Amy L. Cutting (Fearing) and husband Sean Cutting and great-grandchildren Tynan, Clare and Fiona; her niece Teresa Closterman (Geer) and family; and numerous other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday March 25th at 10 a.m. at Sts. Rose and Clement Church, 111 Long St., Warwick. Burial is private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Hope Hospice, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904. www.winfieldandsons.com
