Rita M. Gibson

Rita Gibson, 94, of Seal Beach Leisure World passed away peacefully at home on September 28. Rita was born in Pawtucket RI on 1-19-20. She received a BA in Education from Rhode Island College. During WWII, she worked at an aircraft plant. She bought a small airplane with two friends before any of them ever rode in one. Paul Gibson, her flight instructor, soon became the love of her life. They raised 6 children, Jon, Robert (Hoot), Kathy, Don, Patricia, and Richard, four of whom became pilots. While the kids were young, Rita flew in two trans-continental all-women's air races, dubbed the Powder Puff Derby by Will Rogers in 1929. People across the country were amazed that her husband "allowed" her to go off on her own like that. Rita taught elementary school in Rhode Island, Long Beach CA, Virginia, and New York. She was especially proud of her five-time Space Shuttle astronaut (pilot and Commander) son Hoot and his wife, three- time Shuttle astronaut Rhea Seddon. In her retirement, Rita gave speeches about the Space Shuttle program, complete with slide shows, for many civic groups, At Leisure World, she was active in PEO and Little Flower Guild. She was a life-time member and frequent officer of 99s, a group dedicated to the promotion of flying for women. Rita leaves 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass was said on October 2 at Holy Family Church with burial at Riverside National Cemetery. Paul has been awaiting her since 1986. The family is forever grateful to her beloved caretaker Evelyn as well as others.

Arrangements under the direction of Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary, Long Beach, CA.