Rita Marie Bettencourt Goulart Diniz, of Harrisonburg, Va., formerly of Martha’s Vineyard, died on Tuesday, March 11 in Harrisonburg. She was 77.

She was born Feb. 15, 1937 in Martha’s Vineyard and was the daughter of the late Arthur M. and Rita M. Chase Bettencourt.

Rita was a retired certified nursing aide and had worked at several nursing homes and the hospital. Rita was a past worthy matron of the Eastern Star and was a American Legion Auxiliary, all in the Martha’s Vineyard area. She moved to Harrisonburg in 2010 and attended Park View Mennonite Church.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vanderly Diniz; her first husband of 45 years, George Nunes Goulart Sr.; her brother, Arthur M. Bettencourt, and sister, Susan Julia Bettencourt Holdgate.

Surviving are two sons, George N. Goulart Jr. of Cape Cod, and Paul L. Goulart of Elkton, Va.; two daughters, Felicia E. Goulart of Buena Vista, Va. and Victoria M. vonHone of Elkton, Va.; one brother, David Bettercourt; one sister, Claire Bettencourt; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was cremated at the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg and interment on Martha’s Vineyard will be announced at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Compassion Fund, 1501 Virginia avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Online condolences may be sent here.