Rita

Hammer-Guidry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Janet Blenner-Hough

 

 

Looking closely at Rita’s grammar school image and a recent photo, I presumed her career has been a (and I’m a client too!) spokesperson for ageless beauty care products. Touché to Rita who has barely aged in 40 years!!

 

Rita left St. Ann’s after sixth grade with Miss Janders. Her family moved to North Olmsted and then Bay Village. She attended Saint Richards for seventh and eighth grade, and Magnificat for high school. Rita graduated from the University of Akron in 1985 with a B.S. in Computer Science.

 

Rita has had a fulfilling software development, software management, and sales support career with CA Technologies in multiple locations. She is married with three boys. In her spare time she has travelled extensively, built and remodeled houses, and schlepped kids from music to Boy Scouts. She has been very physically active from the early days of running track to triathlons, skiing, cycling, hiking, tennis, golf, swimming, volleyball, and thrice-weekly yoga. Sitting still is not part of Rita’s regiment (see paragraph 1.)

 

Rita met Tim in 1990 playing volleyball and has been setting his spikes ever since. They were married on New Year’s Eve 1992 and have been celebrating with fireworks annually. They popped the cork in London for their 20th anniversary in 2012 and will hopefully follow suit in Sydney for their 25th.

 

While Rita can’t carry a tune, her oldest son Brian has the gift. Born in 1994, a trumpet player, he has blown his horn from London to Carnegie Hall, with Symphonic and Marching Bands.

 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6-eoh0kZ14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjqiq2QON-E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYW--9ME7c.)

 

Just like Mom, he will graduate from the University of South Florida in Tampa with a B.S. in Computer Engineering. Brian lives with his parent-approved lady, Laura, who will graduate with a Master’s in Accounting.

 

When you least expect it, sometimes life sends a challenge and a blessing all in one. Eric was born in 1995 and has attended schools and programs for individuals with special needs his entire life. Diagnosed with a severe seizure disorder, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome early on, Eric requires and will always need 24x7 care. He is a very happy, loving, and affectionate young man and is always ready to share a hug. He enjoys watching golf, soccer, and Wheel of Fortune, and most of all, riding roller coasters, and playing in the waves.

 

When asked, what/whom do you appreciate most in your life? Rita responded:

“I appreciate my son, Eric, for keeping me grounded every day, and am blessed he is in my life. He has no idea of how to be negative. He does not know how to be mean or deceitful or how to hurt one’s feelings. Amazing for a teenager/young adult! He also has no clue if I’m having a bad day or feeling stressed. When he sees me and gives me a big smile and tight hug, he just warms my heart and makes all my troubles go away. His kind heart and positive attitude is contagious and it makes having him in my life all the more enjoyable.”

 

Third son Trevor was born in 1998 and (shocker) is an accomplished athlete and will begin his college career with a desire for (wait for it..) a Computer Engineering degree…! Not exactly in Mom’s footsteps, Trevor is an avid lacrosse player and rowed on the crew team. Likely he’s run a few laps as well.

 

After 11 years in Tampa, FL, the family moved to historic Washington Crossing, PA. Rarely awesome, moving mid-high school was not easy for their youngest. A fast tracker with that lemon/lemonade mentality, Trevor has been dual-enrolled in high school to get that head start on college.

 

While Trevor and Brian want to make some dough in Engineering, they apparently don’t want to make their Dad Tim’s kind of bread. An American raised in Mexico City and Paris, Tim sells/distributes authentic European breads and pastries to the retail market. Fluent in Spanish and French, he is responsible for an extensive imported product line and liaison between his American division and the parent company in Spain.

 

Little known fact about Rita - she is one of five first cousins of the same age: St. Ann’s own Matt Monroe and Jim Cox as well as Christine Hammer and Cathy (Hammer) Harris from Beaumont 1980.

 

Travelling has a been love of Rita and the Guidry family: Hilton Head, Asheville, Florida theme parks, Colorado ski trips, as well as those extended Hammer family reunions.

 

Ever the wife, parent, and busy career woman, Rita believes, “Busy hands are happy hands” and “Simple is elegant.” She wears it well.