Rita E. Bastek

Rita E. (Gagnon) Bastek, 88, formerly of Clinton, MD and Southbridge, MA, died Oct. 2 in Renaissance Gardens at Riderwood Village in Silver Spring from complications following a stroke.

Born in Killingly, CT, she was the daughter of the late Louis L. Gagnon and Anna M. (Dubuc) Gagnon, and was raised in Southbridge. She graduated from Mary E. Wells High School in 1938 and from Becker Junior College in 1939 with a degree in marketing, working for a number of years as an executive secretary at American Optical Co. She was a resident of Clinton, MD from 1963 until 2006.

Rita was a lifelong women's advocate in Prince George's County, MD. She helped open the Family Crisis Center, a safe house for victims of abuse and homeless women and children. She was a founding member of the Women's Action Coalition, advocating for women on issues of domestic violence and educational equality. She also served on the Prince George Dept. of Corrections task force to help create programs and services for female prison inmates. She was honored in 1995 with the publication of her biography in "Women of Achievement in Prince George's County History." She was also an active member of numerous community and historical organizations over the years.

Rita was married to the late Edmond W. Bastek, a career Air Force officer and Southbridge native, for 63 years. Together they helped found the Surratt Society in Clinton, MD, dedicated to the preservation of the Surratt House, a significant historical site where John Wilkes Booth stopped during his flight from Washington DC after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln. They also owned an antique business for 18 years.

Rita is survived by two children, Ronald L. Bastek of Memphis, TN, and Deborah A. Bastek of Gaithersburg, MD, as well as numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. She is predeceased by two brothers, Dr. Lionel L. Gagnon and Bernard P. Gagnon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of the Resurrection at Riderwood Village, 3110 Gracefield Rd., Silver Spring, MD on Thurs. Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Surratt Society, PO Box 427, Clinton, MD 20735 or Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Maryland Affiliate, 200 E. Joppa Rd., #407, Towson, MD 21287 or to a charity of one's choice. Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd. W., Silver Spring, MD is directing the arrangements.