Rita Renee Fassett passed away in her sleep on June 29, 2023, in Humble, Texas, with her parents near her side. She was born on May 21, 1962, in Salinas, California to Guadalupe (Lupe) Rodriguez and was formally adopted by Richard Fassett in 1964 after he married Lupe. She graduated from Copperas Cove High School in 1980, an avid member of the Bulldogs cheerleading squad. She attended the University of Texas in Austin and graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos with a degree in accounting in 1985. While living in Austin and San Marcos, she developed a lifelong passion for music, tacos, and river floating and would drag her skeptical parents and siblings (and eager nephews) to waterparks for lazy river floats for the next 30 years.

After graduating, Rita worked in Dallas as an accountant in the restaurant industry until developing severe mental illness in 1990 that she would valiantly live and cope with for the rest of her life.

After the onset of her illness, Rita became deeply involved in Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and the National Association for Mental Illness (NAMI). These organizations, especially AA, provided her with support, lifelong friendships, leadership positions, and great joy. She was incredibly proud of each day of the 33 years of sobriety she achieved. Through her involvement in these organizations, Rita helped dozens if not hundreds of people with patient and non-judgmental counsel and companionship day in and day out.

In addition to offering constant support and guidance to others dealing with mental illness and addiction, Rita was an utterly devoted daughter, sister, and aunt. Each member of her family can tell endless stories of kindnesses from small to life altering that Rita bestowed. She found comfort in church, art, swimming, and exercise. She loved finding a live music joint or great greasy spoon or treating herself (and anyone she was with) with a run to the local donut shop or ice cream stand. She enjoyed providing indulgences for others as much as she did for herself. She loved animals and always had room in her heart for any stray or wounded creature.

She is survived by her parents, Richard M. (Lt. Col. retired) and Guadalupe "Lupe" Fassett, sisters Collette "Coco" (Josef) Schmidtke, Khristina "Kristy" (Neil) Fassett Smith, brother Anthony "Tony" (Kim) Fassett, and beloved niece and nephews Amelia, Nathan, Anthony Jr. (Laura), Andrew (Rosemary), Joey, and Jimmy. She was preceded in death by her grandmothers Amelia Rodriguez and Mary Girardot and her nephew Amos Fassett.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Rita's memory to the National Association for Mental Illness (NAMI). The family would like to thank Hospice Plus in Kingwood, Texas, for their loving and compassionate care in Rita's last days.