Rita Claire White (nee Cholet) died on Friday, July 15, 2016 at the age of 85.   Wife of the late Edward A. White; dear daughter of the late Harold F. and Virginia (nee Hennessy) Cholet. Loving twin of the late Richard Cholet. Sister of Margaret (Joe) Baudo and sister-in-law of Joan Cholet. Sister of the late Sr. Frances Cholet C.S.J., Jean Cholet, Virginia (Art) Hutsell, Gail (Don) Williams, and Gerard Cholet. Our dear aunt, great aunt, great-great aunt, cousin and friend.

Rita graduated from Harris Teachers College, St. Louis University, and Maryville University.  She was honored by the Fulbright Scholarship and attended the University of Paris (Sorbonne), and University of Nice, Certificat d’Assiduite

During her career, she taught in the St. Louis Public Schools, Fontbonne University, Brienne le Chateau, France, as well as the Junior College District, Webster University, Clayton Public Schools, Villa Duchesne, Mary Institute, Visitation Academy and Alliance Francaise.

Most importantly to Rita was her last 21 years spent at the Louis and Sarah Block Yeshiva High School where her students were her “babies”; where she not only taught French but guided her students in their future expectations,  and where her love of life was fulfilled by her “babies” and the Jewish community.

She received many honors: Who’s Who in Education; Who’s Who in American Women, Who’s Who International, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers,  U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare,  Board of Directors of Experiment in International Living; Gamma Pi Epsilon, Outstanding teacher USA, Pi Delta Phi French Honor Society, Teacher Appreciation Award from University of Missouri, Columbia and St. Louis.  

Rita elected to donate her body to St Louis University School of Medicine.  

A celebration of Rita’s life will be held at Kriegshauser West, 9450 Olive Blvd., 63132 on Sunday, July 31, beginning at 3 p.m.