Rita May Besseck

Rita M. Besseck, 95, of Athol, MA, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 11, 2026 after a brief illness. She was born on December 2, 1930 in Athol to Mary (Vangritis) and Frank Besseck. Rita was a life-long resident of Athol with the exception of her last several years spent closer to her sister and family near Boston.

Like many in town, Rita began her professional career at Starrett Tools. Thereafter, she pursued and excelled in a finance and banking career and served in various executive roles. It was through her work that Rita became a beloved figure and was well known about town. Her kindness and spirit, along with her wit and humor, were loved by all. And her endless passion to help others had a profound impact on people and families she assisted. Rita leaves behind a legacy of grace and community impact.

Rita rarely missed an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. An endearing member to her family, she embarked on many excursions with them traveling to Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Florida. Rita loved dancing, and often while in Boston could be found on weekend evenings dancing the night away at Moseley’s on the Charles in Dedham and dancing polkas at the Quonset Hut in Amherst.

Rita was as kind to creatures as she was to people, especially her beloved cats. She cherished her large Maine Coon cat ‘Skipper’ and her fuzzy cat named ‘Blackie’. Rita also loved exploring for treasures frequenting antique shops and flea markets; pretty tea cups from around the world were among her favored finds. She was an avid swimmer, and over many years enjoyed spending time at Hampton Beach to swim and listen to the band concerts, and spending time at her beautiful cottage on Cape Cod. And many of her swims occurred nearby at Pine Beach and Silver Lake, and in the earlier days, Lake Mattawa.

Rita is survived by her sisters Mary Ann Jacobs of Arlington and Linda Pickett of Middleborough; her nieces, nephews and great-nephew, Elizabeth (Robert), Heidi (Jason), James (Chandra), Ralph (Cheri), Kevin (Michelle); Ralph’s son Grayson, and Kevin’s children Isabelle and Thomas. She was preceded in death by her sister Priscilla Miller, her nieces Theresa Pickett, Beverly Hubbard, Shirley (John) Pope, and brothers-in-law Paul Jacobs, Linwood Miller, and Larry Pickett.

The family will be holding a graveside memorial service celebrating Rita’s beautiful life at Gethsemane Cemetery in Athol, MA on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 10:00am. We invite those who knew Rita to join us in honoring her memory.