Mary Rita Landry Rockstad passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014 at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. She was 92.

She was born on Dec. 17, 1922. Rita was the valedictorian of the 1940 class of Stanwood High School and graduated cum laude from Providence Hospital School of Nursing in 1943. She worked as a registered nurse and instructor at Providence Hospital School of Nursing for two years.

Rita was involved with the Bainbridge Foundation (One Call For All) in its earliest years and served on the St. Cecilia Parish Altar Society. Her Catholic faith was very important to her, as was her family. She cared for more than 20 foster children over the years of her life.

She was extremely selfless and gave of her time and talents freely, both to her church and to people in need in the community. She was a wonderful cook and loved baking, even making cookies the week before her death.

Rita enjoyed sewing, knitting and all kinds of crafts. She loved to go on family camping trips and later traveled to Hong Kong, China, England, Scotland and Turkey.

She touched so many people in a quiet way, welcoming newcomers to the Island and guests to her home. She was incredibly strong and resilient, especially as she faced significant health challenges in the past few years.

Rita had a wonderful sense of humor. She was practical, loving, generous, loyal and the best mother, grandmother and great-grandmother her family could ever have asked for.

Rita is survived by her brother Raymond Landry (Beth) of Shoreline; children Paul Rockstad (Connie) of Concrete, Susan Lester (John) of Seattle, Margaret Huling (Bob) of Ridgefield, Noel Hanish (Michael) of Poulsbo, Theresa Rockstad of Poulsbo, WA, John Rockstad of Bainbridge Island, Rita Elsberry (Bill) of Bainbridge Island, Michael Rockstad of Kodiak, Alaska, Patricia Lunde (Mark) of Shoreline, and Matthew Rockstad of McLoud, Oklahoma. There are 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three new great-grandchildren on the way and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Rockstad and all but her one remaining sibling.

A Memorial Mass was held Jan. 3 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, with interment at Kane Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Helpline House on Bainbridge Island, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee or Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Maryknoll, New York.

Sign the online guest book for the family at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.