Our beautiful mother Rita Ellen Gatanti, 86 of Hanson, MA passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Rita was the wife of the late Paul B. Gatanti. Born in Boston, MA she was the daughter of the late Donald F. and Rita J. Kraus of Holbrook, MA. Rita was the cherished sister of Marilyn J. Gross of Randolph, MA. She was predeceased by her siblings Phyllis Cotter, Donald F. Kraus, and Beverly Kraus.

Rita was a graduate of Holbrook High School. She attended Bridgewater State College where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. Rita earned her CAGS in Education. She began her teaching career as a first-grade teacher in Squantum, MA 1960-1965. In 1968 she began a thirty-six-year career with the Brockton Public Schools as a reading specialist at the Brookfield Elementary School.

Rita is survived by her daughter Debra and her husband John Vass of Bridgewater, MA and her son Paul B and Kathleen Gatanti of East Bridgewater, MA. Rita was the beloved grandmother of Nicholas and Abigal Gatanti, and Matthew, Daniel, Christopher, and Julie Vass.

A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 8:30 – 9:30 AM at the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman. Immediately to follow is 10:00 AM funeral mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, East Bridgewater, MA. Interment at Fern Hill Cemetery, Hanson MA.