Rita C. Bass, a longtime resident of Westhampton Beach, died at her Sunset Avenue home on November 12, 2018. She was 90.
“Bunny,” as she was affectionately known, was born in the Bronx on September 2, 1928, to Charles, a New York City police officer, and Mary Coyle. She met Charlie Bass at her sister Kathleen’s wedding and they were married a year later. After 10 years in the Bronx, they moved to Westhampton Beach with their three children in 1960.
Ms. Bass had several jobs over the years: working at the Hampton Chronicle-News (now The Southampton Press Western Edition), running a summer catering business and working as a monitor at the Westhampton Beach Middle School. Her most important position, survivors said, was mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved to cook and care for her growing family. Saturday burger nights, a tradition that over time, included grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was a time for the family to get together and stay connected.
Her faith was very important to her and as a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, she volunteered with the CCD program and various charity events.
Ms. Bass was predeceased by her husband, Charlie, who died in 2014, a month after they celebrated their 65th anniversary. She is survived by her children, Sheila Phillips of Quogue, Jeanne Ann Brown and husband Mike of New Hampshire, and Paul Bass and wife Kim of Quogue. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Meghan Phillips, Kelly Bookamer and Zachary, Conner and Liam Bass; as well as four great-grandchildren, Maura, Nolan, Charlie and Jason; and many nieces and nephews of the Sweet and Coyle families.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 15, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Werner Rothwell Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach. A funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Quiogue on Friday at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Westhampton Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice, Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.