Rita P. (Gudaitis) Daniel

Rita P. (Gudaitis) Daniel, 79, of Worcester, passed away peacefully at home on September 13, 2022 surrounded by her loving family after a period of declining health. As a single mother, she raised her family with class, grace, and dignity. She leaves behind five devoted children: James Daniel and his wife Mary, of Worcester; Lisa Stake and her husband Robert, of Worcester; Craig Daniel and his wife Gail, of St. James, MO; Debra Firmin and her husband Kevin, of Sutton; Kelly Berry and her partner Martin O'Malley, of Worcester. Rita also leaves behind a grandson whom she helped to raise from a young age, of Navarre, Florida. She was “Nannie” to 17 loving grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Rita was born in Vilnius, Lithuania and was the daughter of the late Adolph and Apolonia (Baguczis) Gudaitis.  She was predeceased by her siblings, Loretta Shields and Vytautas "Paul" Gudaitis.  She grew up in Worcester, graduated from the former Commerce High School, and attended Assumption College in Worcester.  While raising her family, she worked at the Immaculate Conception Parish and later went onto a 30-year professional career as Assistant to the Director of Transitional Assistance before retiring in 2008.   

Rita enjoyed traveling, spending time at the beach, crossword puzzles, fun trips to the casino, and her nightly ritual of watching the Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Rita was an avid New England sports fan and especially enjoyed football season. She was an artistic genius who turned everything she touched into something beautiful. 

Rita's greatest joy in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren and she will be missed dearly.

There will be calling hours Monday, Sept. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester.  The funeral will be Tuesday, Sept. 20, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove St., Worcester.  Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jewish Healthcare Hospice Center, at 629 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609, for their compassionate care for Rita in her final days.