Heaven Gained an Angel: Remembering Rita Hollingsworth
We are deeply saddened to share the news of the sudden passing of Rita Hollingsworth, our beautiful angel and teammate. On Thursday, November 16, 2023, Rita was called home.
Rita, a founder and partner of RMH Media, was a key voice behind the communications of St. Vincent’s Meals on Wheels. She helped craft strategy and communicate the passion behind all that we do to feed homebound seniors and vulnerable residents of Los Angeles.
Rita supported St. Vincent Meals on Wheels for decades and was a treasure trove of information and resources. She shared her memories and stories working with our founder, Sister Alice Marie. She was the editor of the Bread Basket newsletter and our weekly Thrive Thursday email and our Monday Morning Inspiration email. Rita was also instrumental in our many events, especially giving life to our signature event, Hollywood Under the Stars, and was a longtime member of Cuisine à Roulettes.
CEO, Veronica Dover remembers Rita fondly. “One of the most gentle and compassionate individuals to ever work with us at St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, Rita will be sorely missed. She brought such joy and love to her work with our homebound seniors, volunteers, donors, and staff. Our seniors felt firsthand her loving kindness when she interviewed them for our Bread Basket newsletter. She leaves a hole in our family and in our hearts. Heaven gained a most beautiful angel in our Rita.”
President of the St. Vincent Meals on Wheels’ Board of Directors, Sister Joyce Weller, D.C. adds, “The earth is moving toward darkness. Our world yearns for hope— soon we will gather as families and friends to share love, gratitude, and memories. We feel deeply the loss of Rita which brings us to our knees and fill our hearts with sorrow. We are stunned. We are inconsolable.
“But this time is also full of light for Rita gifted us with ever present joy; with a tenacious commitment to lifting up those who have been forgotten and with her consistent leaning in and loving life no matter the cost. These points of light remain in our hearts and souls. They will sustain us and comfort us. We have been blessed by Rita’s goodness and we are grateful. Let us return this blessing to our world in her name.”
For us at St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, Rita was much more than a colleague. She was our dear friend, she was the light and a force of positive energy. Her infectious smile left a lasting impression on everyone around her.
Rita will always be in our memories, in our heart, and ever present in the work we do.
