Rita Rockwell Godshalk

Rita Godshalk, age 78, of San Diego, California passed peacefully in her home surrounded by family on October 27, 2023. Rita was born to Harold and Albana Sacrider on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1944, and grew up in Rochester, New York.

Growing up in Rochester she attended Nazareth Academy, forging strong friendships that endured through the years. Rita received a teaching certificate from SUNY Potsdam and taught English in Catholic schools. She and her husband George “Rocky” Rockwell relocated to Springfield, Virginia where they raised their children Linda and Eddie. They lived in Danbury Forest and had a strong community of friends that they are still in touch with today. She worked in Washington, D.C., played bridge, traveled and volunteered for her kids’ activities.

In 1984, Rita married Gary Godshalk and moved to San Diego, California where they spent the rest of their life, except for a five-year period in Kailua, Hawaii. Many friends and family enjoyed stays with them, exploring the beauty of Oahu. They had a very active social life, hosted dinner parties, played cards in several bridge groups including the Soledad Club, traveled the world and opened their home to countless family members and friends. She even took in friends of her children for months at a time. Rita was a member of Soroptimist Club for several years, worked for SAIC as a budget analyst and attended the theater, sports events and concerts with friends.

Rita was always cheerful, never let bad news dampen a good mood and cared deeply for other people. Even in her final days, Rita was laughing and joking with friends and family, always making sure that everyone else was taken care of. She put others’ comfort and wellbeing before her own, decorated her home for each season, and entertained with home-cooked meals served with great pizazz. She found joy in the simple things in life, and always shared her cheer and optimism with others. She was a bright light in the life of everyone lucky enough to know her.

Central to Rita’s life was her devotion to the Catholic faith. She attended mass weekly and all holy days, served as Eucharistic Minister, and volunteered in the church rectory and Adopt-a-Senior program. She would often recount homilies from Monsignor Sheahan and Father Mark at Our Mother of Confidence.

Rita was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and cherished her sister, nieces and nephews. She would light up when talking about each of them. She also had lasting and loving friendships and considered her friends as extended family, spending many holidays with them. Gary called Rita the love of his life to the end. We are all blessed to have shared so many years with the most loving, kind and warm-hearted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

She is survived by her husband Gary; daughter Linda Cassol (Rob); son Eddie Rockwell (Stephanie); grandchildren Nicholas & Matthew Cassol; Kendall, Blake & Kellen Rockwell; sister Patricia “Trish” Brady (Tom); nieces Marybeth Mueller (Tom), Jill Brady & Renee Montella (Dave) and nephews Jon Brady and Pete Bernard; brothers-in-law Ron, Dave (Inge) & John Godshalk and several dear grand nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her niece Jeneanne Bernard and brother-in-law Eddie Godshalk.

A memorial service for Rita will be held at Our Mother of Confidence Catholic Church on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at noon.

In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be generously made to the San Diego Food Bank.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sorrentovalleychapel.com for the Godshalk family.