Dr. Rita Achin Gibson

1949 - 2021

Harvard

Dr. Rita Achin Gibson, age 71, of Harvard, MA, died of cancer on Friday, February 5, 2021.

Born in Lowell, MA, June 17, 1949, to the late Roland Achin and the late Marga (Redwitz) Achin, Rita was the oldest of three children. She attended grade school at Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro, MA, then went on to high school at Abbot Academy, Andover MA, from which she graduated in 1967. She then attended Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY, where she studied German and Art, participated in the college's junior year abroad program at the University of Vienna, and was a 1971 graduate of Marymount with a B.A. in German.

Following her undergraduate education Rita chose to pursue a Master's degree in Special Education for the Blind and Visually Impaired, from Boston College. She then spent several years as an itinerant teacher for Massachusetts blind and visually impaired children and teens.

Rita's interest in eye research extended beyond the blind and visually impaired as during the early 1990s, she obtained a Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England School of Optometry. And after graduation she practiced optometry at various Massachusetts stores within malls. She retired in 2013.

Rita's favorite pastimes included eating out at international restaurants, reading health publications, exercising at Zamba in Boxborough, MA, walking her dogs to the general store, working out at KOKOFIT in Harvard, MA, along with spending time with her husband and friends. She and her husband Gordon, whom she married in 1985, also spent several week-long vacations in the Florida Keys. Some of Rita's favorite places were Vienna, Austria, Key West, FL, Ogunquit, ME, and home.

In a final conversation with friends, Rita said: "It was a lucky life! See you all over the rainbow for a cocktail some day."

Rita is survived by two brothers: Carl Achin of Hampton, NH and Henry Achin of Lowell, MA; her loving husband and great companion, Gordon Seale Gibson; three stepdaughters: Grace, Karin and Lara; four step grandchildren; Harry the cat; plus many nephews and nieces.

At Rita's request, her remains will be donated to science. A private family gathering will be held.



View the online memorial for Dr. Rita Achin Gibson