Rita Boguss

Rita (Tzizik) Boguss passed on Friday, April 17 at the age of 98. She is pre-deceased by her husband of 55 years, Sidney Boguss (2005), her eldest daughter and numerous family and friends. Rita is survived by her two youngest daughters, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Rita was born in Chelsea, MA. As a young child she lived in Revere, then her family moved to Reading prior to moving to a farm in Harvard, MA, which Rita found the most-beloved place of her childhood. Halfway though high school Rita moved with her mother and brothers to an apartment in Lynn, MA. She graduated high school from Lynn Classical. After high school Rita found what would become one of her passions in life by joining the Civil Air Patrol. She would fly small planes out of a small airstrip in Revere with other young people in the program and their instructor. She learned to pilot with the instructor onboard. While never flying solo, the experience gave her an appreciation of flying that would stay with her throughout her life. It was also in Lynn where she met Sidney, the love of her life. They were married in 1949 and together worked to create a successful graphic and package design company while raising three daughters. Rita and her family settled in Swampscott where she was active in a temple choir, taking classes to advance her knowledge in anything she found interesting including time at Emerson College in Boston, and nourishing her family with love. She developed a deep belief in the power of vitamins and good nutrition and could often be heard at family gatherings offering health tidbits to anyone interested. Rita credited her vitamin regime with keeping her prescription and illness free for most of her adult life.

Rita and Sidney eventually purchased a second home in southeastern Florida where they spent many winters until eventually moving there full-time. Rita had many friends in Florida and became involved in a myriad of activities. She learned canasta, tai chi, and volunteered for many years as an usher at the Broward Center for Performing Arts.

Rita had a deep love of Israel. She first traveled there in 1968. After her husband’s passing she considered moving there, but instead chose to join SAR-EL, a volunteer program allowing vetted individuals to work and assist on active Israeli army bases. She made her first trip with SAR-EL at the age of 78 and continued to volunteer for 8 years. During her many trips to Israel she traveled the country and it became a second home to her.

During that period Rita also traveled frequently back to New England to spend time with her children, family and friends. She eventually came to spend her last several years with her youngest daughter. Rita had a great zest for life and was always up to try something new. She continued to enjoy life, vacationing in different spots and driving cross-country on a ten-week adventure to see her youngest grandchild marry on the west coast.

Rita was a kind and loving woman whose greatest treasures in life were those of the heart. She was frequently heard to say, “I am lucky. I’ve had such a wonderful life.” And so she did. Rita will be both missed and lovingly remembered by all fortunate enough to have known her.

Funeral will be graveside. Shiva will be Tuesday, 4/21, 4-8pm at Temple Emanuel in Andover, MA.

If anyone wishes to make a donation in Rita’s memory, the family suggests planting a tree in Israel via shiva.com.