Rita P. Gale died Oct. 1. She was 77.

She was born Feb. 18, 1944. In high school, she could be found behind a cash register at Connor’s Market on Main street Edgartown. She was also a cheerleader at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. After graduating, she moved to Boston and worked at the John Hancock Building.

Rita met Bobby Gale, the love of her life, and they married in 1963. In 1964, their son Robbie was born with many disabilities. But Rita was a strong person; she still worked summers at the Harborside and then, to be closer to home, at Clark, Leland and Clark.

Later, she worked at the Black Dog locations on Beach Road and State Road in Vineyard Haven. She loved her customers and the celebrations that she catered.

She was a people person and enjoyed making new friendships. She loved traveling, especially to Sanibel, Fla., where she spent her February birthday for many years. When Covid hit, her health began failing.

She was a loving wife and mother and was caring with her brothers, sister and family members.

She is survived by her devoted, loving husband Robert Gale; her son Robbie Gale; brother Barry Pachico; sister Dawn Amancio; her “aunt” Rena Vieara; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her grandparents, Frank and Irene Vieara and also John and Marjorie Pachico; her mother Rita Rogers and her father Ernest Pachico; and her brothers Ernie Pachico, Gregory Ortiz and Tommy Pachico.

Her family thanks all the emergency medical technicians from two towns, Dr. Casper, the nursing staff in the emergency room; and to Ben, who worked a long, hard, determined battle and who never gave up. God took her safely home. She fought a long battle and died peacefully.

Services will be held at a future date.

Donations can be made to Camp Jabberwocky (https://www.campjabberwocky.org/giving/donate).