Rita Marie (Colivas) Hammerstad was born on July 17, 1932 in Eureka, California and passed away on May 18, 2023 at the age of 90 near her home in Pacifica, California. She grew up in Eureka and San Francisco.
She received her teaching license and married William (Bill) Hammerstad on June 24, 1956. Immediately after their marriage, Bill enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Alaska, so Rita lived in Eureka with her brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Sheila Colivas and taught at Heald’s Business College. After Bill was released, they bought a new home in Pacifica and never left the house. First they lived on La Rita Way and then on Kent Drive. Rita and Bill were married for 63 years before Bill passed away in 2019.
Rita taught in San Francisco for over 33 years, first at Polytechnic High School and then at Mission High School. After her retirement, she worked as a substitute teacher and did so for many years to keep busy. She and Bill loved cruising with Princess Cruise Line and achieved elite status. They also traveled around Europe and spent time in Hawaii with their nephew Stephen Colivas and his wife Jorisa. At the time of her death, she was planning a trip to Maui and Oahu in July. She also loved dancing and bowling. She and Bill attended many dance parties at KPIX Channel 5 in San Francisco at the time and danced for many years. Bowling was her first love and she was a regular at the Sea Bowl in Pacifica for over 60 years, participating in many bowling leagues and making many friends. At 90, she was still bowling. She also had a passion for her Zumba classes and her “martini time” every afternoon at 4pm!
In addition to Bill, her brothers James and Jerry Colivas predeceased her, leaving behind her nephews Stephen (Jorisa), Kurt (Peggy), Jerry (Linda), Tom, Sam (Sandi), and Robert (Donna) Colivas; nieces Christine (Ron) Titus and Karen Towns; and numerous great- and great-grand nieces and nephews.
The family appreciates that thanks to the tremendous support from Stephen and Jorisa, Rita and Bill have been able to stay in their home during their final years.
Friends and family can stop by at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7 at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Ave., Daly City for a memorial rosary at 5 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 8 at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary.
