Albany - Rita Elaine Shawn was born on October 24, 1940, in Albany, NY, to Bernard Shawn and Rosalie (Heller) Shawn. Her seemingly inexhaustible energy finally ran out just around midnight on New Year’s Eve, as she slept by the side of her spouse, Beth Keitel.

Rita graduated from Albany High School before earning her bachelor’s degree from Russell Sage College. Within 24 hours of graduation, Rita moved to Middletown, NY, where she immediately began her 44-year career with the NYS Office of Mental Health. While working in Middletown, Rita received a Master of Science in Social Welfare degree from Columbia University. She eventually moved to Vestal, NY, to take the job of Chief of Social Work at the Binghamton Psychiatric Center, where she worked until retirement.

Rita loved being a social worker, and throughout her life she endeavored to support and promote her profession. She held multiple positions on the board of directors of the National Association of Social Workers, NYS Chapter, including president. She also served as chairperson of the NYS Board for Social Work, and as an extended board member, she continued to work for many years in several roles.

Rita was incredibly civic-minded and endlessly charitable, contributing to dozens of worthy humanitarian and cultural causes. She also found time to volunteer in her community. As a member of the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton, her fundraising efforts were integral to sustaining the good works of that organization. Rita was also involved with the Binghamton JCC, as well as Chabad of Binghamton, where she and Beth helped to prepare holiday meals.

Rita and Beth traveled together often. Along the way, Rita taught Beth to enjoy modern dance performances, which they regularly attended in the Berkshires and in New York City, while Beth coaxed Rita into developing a tolerance, and ultimately an appreciation, for marathon visits to museums and historic sites wherever they went in the US and Europe. Occasionally, they took it easy and enjoyed a quiet, seaside vacation in Ogunquit, Maine, or Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

In addition to Beth, Rita is survived by her sister Karen Shawn (Keith Breiman), brother Andrew Shawn, aunt Diana Siskind, nieces Jill Rathus and Ashley Driscoll (John), nephews Alex and Brandon Shawn, great-nieces Lauren and Julia Goldsamt (Skye Henderson) and Avery and Chloe Driscoll, sister in-law Adria Keitel Ermolenko (Guerman), mother-in-law Ann Keitel (Marty Green), father-in-law Peter Keitel (Susan), stepdaughter Jean Davis (Ray), stepson Luke Claymon (Sue), and many cousins, in-laws, stepchildren, and friends. Rita was predeceased by her parents, as well as her two devoted companions of many years, Steven Morse and Camille Claymon.

Rita was generous, compassionate, and so strong. She possessed a limitless capacity to care for others, and while she never stopped loving Steven and Camille, she moved on to share her life with Beth for the past 17 years, and Beth will never stop loving Rita.

A private burial took place on January 4, 2026, in the Workmen’s Circle Cemetery in Guilderland.

Please think of Rita every time you eat her favorite food, pizza.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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