March 2, 1942 – April 18, 2018

Rita Basta, BVM (James Celeste) died Wednesday, April 18 in Pasadena. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 28 at 10 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Church, 2411 Montrose Ave. in Montrose. Burial is in Mount Carmel cemetery, Dubuque, Iowa.

She was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on March 2, 1942 to James and Celestine Renz Basta. She entered the BVM congregation July 31, 1960 from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, St. Paul. She professed first vows on Feb. 2, 1963, and final vows on Aug. 12, 1968.

Sister Rita taught secondary school in Burbank and Mission Hills. She served as college/university math professor in Sylmar and Northridge where she also served in spiritual ministry to adults.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by brothers James (St. Paul); Joseph (Ann Arbor, Michigan); and John (Mesa, Arizona) and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 57 years.

To make a donation in Sister’s honor, visit https://www.bvmsisters.org/support-our-mission/online-donations/.

Funeral directors www.CrippenMortuary.com