Rita (Beckwith) Lambert, 103, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026. She was predeceased by her husband, Louis Lambert, her siblings: Monica, Jane, Samuel, Helene, Loretta, Elizabeth and Virginia, and great grandson, Gabriel Kayser. Rita is survived by her loving children: Patricia (Larry) Twamley, Ellen Lambert, Timothy (Danielle) Lambert, Joan Kervin, Laura (David) McKane and Karen (Andrew) Hebert. Also surviving her are 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and extended relatives who were all special to her.

Rita was born a little over a century ago in 1923. Imagine the discoveries and inventions she saw in her long life. She grew up on a farm in West Henrietta, NY. After high school she worked as a telephone operator, a long-forgotten profession. She met Lou while taking dance lessons. He arranged his place among the males to be sure he was matched up with her as a dance partner. That partnership was made official in 1947 lasting 60 years, only ending with Lou's passing in 2007.

Rita and Lou made their home in Rush and Honeoye Falls, NY before retiring to Winter Haven, FL. They then returned to Victor, NY to be near family for their later years.

Rita was known for her faithful and newsy letter writing with homemade greeting cards and stationery. She loved music and shared her talent as a member of the church choir at St. Joseph's Church in Rush, NY. She took up playing harmonica in her mid-80s and even performed a local gig at the Honeoye Falls village park. She enjoyed writing poems and won a local contest for one of her poems in 2019.

Rita's 100th birthday was a wonderful tribute to her and she enjoyed sharing conversation with her guests in her own warm, charming and thoughtful way.

She moved to the Jewish Home of Rochester in 2025 after a brief illness and was visited daily by one or more family members including goddaughter, Rita Magri.

Visitation with family and friends will be on Wednesday, June 3rd at the Merton H. Kays Funeral Home, Inc. 59 Monroe Street, Honeoye Falls, NY from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, June 4th at 2 p.m. at St. Paul of the Cross 31 Monroe Street, Honeoye Falls, NY followed by burial at St. Paul of the Cross Cemetery W. Main St. Honeoye Falls, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church.