Rita Cumberbatch

Rita Cumberbatch - daughter of Zena Savory and Francis Peters, mother of Sandra Orosco and Andrew Greenidge, grandmother to Tiffony, Benaiah, Shana, Natalia, Nehemiah, and Darianna, and great-grandmother to Isabella, Amir, Drue, Jahnasia, Jamir, Justice, Jayvyn, Jenaiah, Jazariah, and Kamaria.
Rita was born in Trinidad and Tobago, and from an early age she carried a spirit of courage and determination. She later migrated to the United States, seeking better opportunities for herself and her family. Throughout her life, she wore many hats - she was a licensed beautician, a dietary aid at Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital, and a home health aide. But beyond all of that, she was a nurturer at heart - caring for others came naturally to her.
My mom was also an entrepreneur in her own right - a truly amazing cook who could turn any meal into an experience of love. She catered weddings and special events, and her talent even inspired her to create her own cookbook filled with her cherished recipes. One of my favorite dishes she taught me to make was her Chicken Cantonese and Pastels - no one could make them like her.
What I loved most about my mom was her outlook on life. She always looked at the glass half full. She had this incredible ability to see the best in people and in every situation. She was forgiving, full of love, and never afraid to speak her mind. Her confidence was magnetic, and her faith and wisdom touched everyone she met.
Some of my greatest memories with her are from our times spent cooking and traveling together - laughing in the kitchen, and sharing stories that made us feel closer than ever.
Mom wasn't just a mother. She was my best friend, my role model, and my confidant. She was someone I could always turn to for comfort and guidance. She had a saying that will forever stay with me:
"When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."
That was her - always reminding me to keep faith, even in the hardest moments.
Rita Cumberbatch will be deeply missed not only by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. She had a way of making you feel seen, heard, and loved.
Mom, I promise to carry your strength, your kindness, and your wisdom with me always. Thank you for being my everything. I love you forever.