Rita Julian Lassere, 96, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2019 with her family by her side. She was raised in Louisiana, but resided most of her life in Houston, Texas with her husband of 77 years, Earl Lassere, 97, who survives her.
Rita was born on December 9, 1922 to parents Marie and Paul Julian in New Orleans, Louisiana. She met her sweetheart, Earl Lassere, around the age of 16 and that began their "enchanted love story". They married on August 5, 1942 and began a family. Rita loved to cook, kept an immaculate house, and was the "hostess with the mostest". In her earlier years, when her young children were in school, she took cake decorating lessons and excelled at decorating cakes for all occasions. Rita, who was a fantastic cook, loved preparing meals for her family and friends. She often hosted her husband's business parties. Rita was highly skilled with knitting needles, crochet hooks and sewing. She always started her morning off with a crossword puzzle and she enjoyed playing solitaire and going to her weekly Bridge Club, where she frequently championed. You rarely saw Rita without her card table in front of her and a deck of very worn cards. Gardening and flowers were also one of her passions.
Rita made friends everywhere she went. She loved traveling with Earl, whether it be for business or pleasure with family. They made many special memories in their motorhome. They were a pair in everything they did. She was "Earl's Everything" for 80 years. To watch them on the dance floor was like watching Fred Astaire. Later in life, Rita worked at Joske's/Dillard's Department store, where she retired as a manager.
After her husband retired, they spent most of their time at their residence in Lake Livingston. Some of her favorite activities there included manicuring her beautiful flowers, picking the sweet blackberries and enjoying large family gatherings. She truly treasured family, especially moments spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rita was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who will be dearly missed and cherished forever in our hearts.
Rita is preceded in death by her son, Robert Lassere; her parents, Marie Sultana and Paul Emile Julian; her siblings, Rose Barton, Marilyn "Sunshine" Steib, and Long "Sonnyboy" Julian.
She is survived by her husband of 77 years, Earl Lassere; her children, Earl (Eileen) Lassere, Jr., Candy Lassere (Steve) Roos, and James (Cindy) Lassere; grandchildren, Lori Lassere-Gullion, Katherine Lassere Carley, Aly Roos Sills, and Bryan Roos; 10 great-grandchildren, godchildren, other relatives, and friends.
The family would like to express their gratitude to all of those who cared for Rita during the last months.
She had a wonderful life and the family invites you to join them in celebrating a Funeral Mass in her memory on Monday, October 14, 2019 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc, Houston, Texas 77024 at 11:30 a.m. A reception will follow Mass in the Church Hall.
