She was born in Harrow Weald but grew up in Taplow, Buckinghamshire.
Rita was a long time member of the Town and Country Club and the Cons Club and enjoyed dancing at the clubs.
She fell on the pavement in Louth and was taken to Louth Hospital on March 19 before being transferred to Lincoln Hospital and was there for 13 days. The family thank all the staff at Louth Hospital and Lincoln Hospital's Burton Ward.
A service was held at St James' Church, Louth, on April 16 conducted by The Rev Stephen Holdaway.
Family mourners attending: Jeanette Simpson and Ian Jacklin (daughter and son in law), Royston Cole and Karen, Michael, Malcolm and Jane (sons and daughters in law), Craig Burton, Gemma Simpson, Jody Simpson, Ryan Cole, Victoria Cole and Abigail Cole (grandchildren), Darren and Tom (partners of grandchildren), Ron and Maisie, Keith and Jan Sheppard (brothers and sisters in law), Sheila and Roy Winterton, Val and Ian Bingle (sisters and brothers in laws), Jim Bocking (brother in law), Robert and Val Bocking, Derek Winterton (nephews), Dawn and Ronnie Milligan (niece, also representing Adam and Karla Milligan), Sarah and Georgina (step grandchildren).
Others attending: Jim and Ann Dixon (also rep Louth Town & Country Club), Mrs P Johnson and Mr F Johnson, Thelma and Neil Osborne, Neil and Denise Rodgers (also rep Wayne Rodgers), Sarah Siddall (also rep Christopher Hewson-Siddall), Claire and Chris Hird, Nigel Wadner, Peggy Wadner, Geoff Simpson, Peggy Simpson, Sarah Odlin, Brenda Stainton, Wendy Gadsby, Sorrel Coleman (also rep Mike Coleman), Georgina and Chris Seidel (also rep Ian Smith), Pat Belton and Sarah Jane Parrish (also rep Jacqueline Hinkin's family), Mandy, David and Luke Fuller, Chris Hodson, Mrs S Hodson and Mrs S Goddard, Mrs B Dunham (also rep Ann Dunham), Greta Brougham, Mr R Fox and Mrs R Cotterrell, Rebecca Burton, Monica Burton (also rep the family), Mr and Mrs B Wedgner, Kathleen Kimpton and Geordie Dunn, Bet Jarish (also rep the family), Heather-Paul Overton and Joan Overton, Marlene Sowter (also rep Keith Sowter), Mrs M Jaines (also rep John Jaines), Diane Conway (also rep Alan Conway), Brian Fox and Maureen, Christopher and Susan Cole, Geoff Holmes (also rep Town & Country Club), Alice Ashwood (also rep Jack Dodge), Vi Wilson, Mrs M Harness (also rep Jo Harness), Mrs P Jacklin, Mr and Mrs Glyn Macdonald, Hayley Grant (also rep Janice Pask and Martin Grant), Ralph Gorman, Margaret Gorman, Jean Robbins, Madge Goddard (also rep Rachel Anderson), Melanie Tunbridge, George Swift, Emma Swift, Mr G Skipworth (also rep Miss S Skipworth), Tina Skipworth (also rep Mark Skipworth), Julie Paddison, Zoe Millard (also rep Craig Millard and Harry Payne), Mrs P Reeve (also rep Mrs J Johnson), Val Millard (also rep Pete and family), Dave Ranshaw (also rep Val Johnson), Karen and Richard Nicholson, Diane Panton and Mel Panton, John and Betty Smith, Ken Grant, V Jacklin (also rep Mr and Mrs J & M Bailey and T & B Vamplew), Sheila Jacklin (also rep Mr and Mrs Gary Taylor), Alan and Heather Rodgers.