Rita Lynn Guba's Obituary
Celebrating the Life of Rita Lynn GubaRita was born on October 13, 1964 in New London, Connecticut. She was the only child born to Romeo Octaviano Guba and Carolina Mamaril Guba. Her family moved frequently due to her father being in the United States Coast Guard. Some of the places she lived as a child included Honolulu, HI; San Francisco, CA; Dale City, VA; and Stockton, CA. She would later find her way back to the San Francisco Bay Area, with her final city of residence being Oakland, CA.She attended Gar-Field High School (Woodbridge, VA), University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA), and San Francisco State University. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from UOP and her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from SF State University. Prior to starting her path into the nursing profession, she had been a travel agent trained through United. As a travel agent, she worked for companies such as United, Carlson Travel Network, and Omega World Travel. Rita also received a certification as a massage therapist, which steered her into the health profession. After attaining her nursing degree, Rita was able to apply for a nursing externship in the San Francisco Bay Area, which placed her at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, CA. Rita’s determination and drive, along with her radiant and positive demeanor landed her a permanent position at St. Rose’s PACU (peri-anesthesia care unit) in August, 2012.Late February 2016, Rita would come to learn she had been afflicted with neuro-endocrine cancer, which had affected her liver and pancreas. From the time of her diagnosis up until her last week on earth, she exemplified grace and the commitment to fight this battle against a disease that was so relentless and merciless. She was able to find comfort in her Catholic faith when excerpts from a prayer booklet were read to her. Knowing that she would lose this battle, she expressed her wish to be in her own home. On May 24, she received her final wish, crossing the threshold of her own home…..no more monitors, no more needle sticks, no more poking/prodding. On May 27, 2016, she left this world to continue her journey home to be reunited with her father, Romeo O. Guba and other loved ones before her. She is survived by her mother, Carolina M. Guba.Rita’s passion for living was evident by the life she led. Rita was an avid traveler; visiting places such as Machu Picchu and Prague, as well as other places in Asia and Europe. She had a great love for animals: she was a “mother” to her surviving cats Tova, Jasper, and Dino. She also had her cat, Blackjack, who passed before her and is now reunited with him. She loved music and dance: she had been a cheerleader at Gar-Field High and UOP, she was able to make the first cuts as a San Francisco 49er cheerleader, and she definitely had the stamina to stay on the dance floor for hours. Rita showed no fear when it came to flying in the air: she learned to do the flying trapeze during her trips to Club Med, and she tried tandem parachute jumping. She was a generous and genuine soul whose smile lit up a room as soon as she entered. She was also a nurturing and caring being as evidenced by the many lives she has touched. She will be missed but never forgotten. R.I.P our beautiful angel, Rita Lynn Guba. Until we see you again, may you fly high among the angels.
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