Rita (James Celeste) Basta, BVM
Rita Basta, BVM (James Celeste) died Wednesday, April 18, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Church in Montrose. Burial is in Mount Carmel cemetery, Dubuque, Iowa.
She was born in St. Paul, Minn., 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, Calif. She served as college/university math professor in Sylmar and Northridge, Calif., 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, Mich.); and John (Mesa, Ariz.) and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 57 years.
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I remember Sister Rita when I was a freshman at Bell-Jeff in Burbank, CA. Sister Rita was popular with all the students, and well-liked by the parent community. She was a positive force in my little world. My mother invited the sisters to our home for dinner, Sister Rita came, it was exciting. I can still see that big smile she had… RIP. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. ?
I have known Rita probably longer than the rest of you. We met in 3rd grade at IHM the first year the school was open. We played with her chemistry set one time and stunk up the whole house. I left in 6th grade and didn’t see her till we both went to OLP high school and met the BVM’s. She entered the order and I got married. We kept in touch thru Christmas cards and the last time I saw her was our 50th reunion. I tried to talk to her after that but there were no responses. The last time I knew she was suffering. I will tell the rest of our classmates. I wish I could remember if I told her to say Hi to Jesus for me. I will miss her.
I first met Sister Rita after teaching with Jan at St. Francis Xavier in Burbank. I then had the pleasure of teaching with her at Alemany. She was so much fun and possessed a zest for life and a love for God that was amazing. One of my best memories centered around a trip I took with her one summer. I actually bummed a ride from LA to Michigan. We had such fun. She had such a love for music and I hope her last days were filled with the sounds she loved . She made an impression on me … one that I will never forget.