Rita Lillian Freitas of Oak Bluffs and Apple Valley, Calif., died peacefully with family at her side on June 26. She 94 and was the widow of Joseph V. Freitas of Oak Bluffs and Dartmouth.

Rita was an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish over the years having served one term as president of the Ladies Guild, and sang in the choir for many years. In mid-life, after her children had left the Island, she took on the challenge of acquiring a driver’s license and became a cook at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School where she worked until her retirement. She was applauded by teachers and students alike for her baked rolls and desserts. For several summers she also worked as breakfast chef at the Menemsha Inn to the delight of many of the Inn’s guests. Rita proudly displayed her cooking skills with her own guests and was noted for her versions of kale soup, quahaug chowder and any fresh fish or seafood that was in season. During the last five years of her life, she lived in Apple Valley, Calif., where she was a communicant of Our Lady of the Desert church and volunteered at the church food bank until the age of 92.

She is survived by her children, Betsy and Robert Peckham of New Bedford, Sylvia and Thomas Murphy of Chesterfield, Mo., Armand and Ruth Freitas of Apple Valley, Calif., and Nancy Blake of Warren, Me.; seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was born in Northbridge to Leon and Eva Remillard and is survived by a brother, Roger Remillard of South Grafton, and a sister, Agnes Gillet of Worcester.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 9, at St. Julie Billiart Church in Dartmouth. Interment will take place at 1 p.m. on August 10 at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs.

Remembrances may be made to the Good Shepherd Parish, P.O. Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.