Rita Anna Taut

WESTERLY - Rita Anna Taut, 88, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2025, at the Royal in Westerly after struggling with Alzheimer's Disease for several years. Annie as she was fondly known was born in Malbergweich, Germany to Johann & Katharina Stutz.

Annie was the youngest of five daughters. As a child, her father was called to serve in the Battle of Stalingrad during WWII and died in combat. Annie spent her childhood managing the family farm in the village of Malbergweich with her sisters and mother.

Annie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Horst Taut whom she met in Bitburg, Germany in 1959 where he was stationed in the US Air Force. They married on August 16, 1961 and soon after they relocated to the US and lived in Oregon before permanently calling Westerly home. On August 2, 1972 Rita Taut proudly received a letter from the State of RI Governor, Frank Licht, congratulating her on her naturalization and welcoming her as an American Citizen of the State of RI.

Annie and Horst worked diligently for decades in residential and commercial property maintenance. She was a proud member of The Elks Ladies Auxiliary and The German Social Club. She adored friends, family, and her beloved cats. She found joy in entertaining her friends and family with elegant dinner parties often serving authentic German cuisine. She loved traveling, often to Europe to spend time with family in Germany and Luxembourg. She also ventured to remote places like Peru and Alaska, bringing back treasures and recollecting adventures with Horst and family members.

She was a talented crafter and seamstress who enjoyed teaching friends and family to sew, often making curtains for friends' homes, Halloween costumes, Christmas decorations and Easter baskets lined with grass she planted from seed. She loved gardening, creating German pastry, reading romance novels, and dancing. All were welcomed at her home where she greeted guests with a smile, a warm hug, and welcomed you in for a homemade German treat and coffee.

Annie is survived by her niece & Godchild, Annette Boever, her husband, Raymond Boever, their children, Ramon, Federico, and Ana -Christina and several nieces, nephews and her Godson, Mark Stepanishen. Although hoped for, Annie and Horst never had children of their own but Annie was a maternal figure to many of their friends' children including Lee & Peter Stepanishen's sons & Joe and Mary Fish's daughters.

A Funeral Service, to be announced, when Rita will be laid to rest at the Exeter Veterans Cemetery with her beloved Horst. For online condolences or a shared memory please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the https://standupforanimals.org/make-donation-now/