Rita Jane Guinta

Rita (Gillis) Guinta, 75, of Beverly Hills, Florida, passed away peacefully after a long battle with COPD on July 11, 2026, surrounded by her devoted care team, her sister Judy, and her niece Denise.

Rita was born on July 17, 1950, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, to the late Catherine "Cassie" (Clarke) Gillis and Joseph Angus Gillis. She was raised in Somerville, Massachusetts, and spent most of her adult life in Hanson, Massachusetts. For many years, she dedicated her time working at the Sacred Heart schools in Kingston, Massachusetts. For the past 10 years, she enjoyed her retirement residing in Florida. Rita shared 52 beautiful years of marriage with her late husband, Stephen Louis Guinta.

She was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Lawrence Gillis, and her sister, Kathleen Anne Herrera.

Rita's loving legacy lives on through her surviving family. She is survived by her sister, Judith (Gillis) Bassett (and the late Michael Bassett); her nephew, Brian Bassett (and the late Susan Bassett); her niece, Denise Bassett; and her great-nephew, Michael Bassett. She is also survived by her daughter, Michelle Anne Guinta (Travis), along with her cherished grandson, Mason G. Guinta.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Vitas Hospice for their steady guidance through home hospice care. The team took a deeply personal interest in our dear Rita, caring for her with profound dignity, compassion, and respect over the last several months. Rita truly looked forward to her visits with Mackenzie, Emily, Christopher, and Barrington. We will never be able to fully convey how impactful you all have been to our family. Thank you.

Rita’s funeral arrangements were private, with interment at Fern Hill Cemetery in Hanson, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita’s memory to the COPD Foundation at copdfoundation.org.