Rita Kathyrn Bass

November 29, 1917 - April 8, 2012
Rita Kathyrn Bass

Gifts & Memorial Donations



Rita Kathryn Schwep Bass, 94, of Williamsburg died Sunday, April 8, 2012 at Williamsburg Landing.

Mrs. Bass was born November 29, 1917 in North Plainfield, New Jersey, daughter of the late C. Frank and Reita Weaver Schwep. She was a graduate of the Hartridge School, 1935, and Pine Manor, 1937. She married W. Streeter Bass, Jr. of Wilton Maine in 1940. Mrs. Bass enjoyed volunteering most of her life for various causes. She was a member of the Jr. League of Washington, a co-founder of the Washington chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation, a mentor for inner city children, and an activist for de-segregation in the 50’s and 60’s.

She enjoyed listening to music, was a prolific reader, and loved nature. Her greatest joy was her summer home on Mt. Desert Island on the coast of Maine, where she and her husband, Streeter,spent more than thirty years creating a beautiful retreat from a 140 year old “salt water farm.” A self-taught artist, she enjoyed oil painting and decoupage. She will be greatly missed by many friends, and also by those who have cared for her so compassionately during her last years at Williamsburg Landing.

She was pre-deceased in 2001 by Streeter, her husband of 61 years, and by their daughter, Priscilla Hadley Bass, in 1959. She was a member of Bruton Parish Episcopal Church.

Survivors include her children, Carson Bass Lutes, and husband Chris, of Pownal, Maine, and Charles W. Bass, and his wife, Deirdre of Cape Elizabeth, ME; grandchildren, Austin, Jonathan and Alexandra Bass; Matthew, and his wife, Rachel Little-Farmer; Amanda, and her husband, David: and Abigail Johnson. Great grandchildren: Simon Hergenhan, Streeter Little-Farmer, and Jacob Cohen.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Williamsburg Landing. Memorial donations may be made to the Washington National Catherdral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
, Washington, D.C. 20016.

Online condolences may be registered at bucktroutfuneralhome.net.


Purchase Flowers

Subscribe to this Obituary

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Tribute Wall

Please feel free to sign the guestbook or share a memory



Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


  • April 12, 2012
    Jim Bridge says:
    My sincerest condolences for the lose of your mother. Rita and Streeter were friends of my parents, Gardiner & Sally Bridge and my cousin Judy Hamblet. A wonderful lady and will no doubt be greatly missed by family and friends alike. Jim Bridge Brunswick, ME

  • April 14, 2012
    P.J.G. says:
    To the family of Rita Kathryn Bass I am truly sorry for the passing of your loved one, as you grieve may the God who gives comfort to all comfort you and your family in your time of need as spoken of at 2 Corinthians 1:3