Rita Marie Donahue was born August 10, 1950, in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was number six of nine children in her family. Rita was a resident of the South Bay area for more than 60 years. Rita passed peacefully in her sleep at home on May 16, 2022. Rita is survived by her two daughters, Mary Donahue and her husband James Williams of Wilmington, California and Michelle Donahue of Redondo Beach, California. Having no grandchildren Rita considered her many cats and the dog to be her grandkids.
Rita was active in the community as a member of the PEP Pioneers as well as being a member of her class reunion committee for North High School class of 1962. Rita was an avid collector of Swarovski crystal and loved to share her extensive collection with anyone who asked. Rita loved to travel and some of her favorite places included, Alaska, Jamaica, and Mexico. Rita was known for her quick wit and sense of humor including her affinity for what is loving considered to be her iconic catch phrase - “I’m Just Saying….”.
