Rita Serchuk Holland

Rita Serchuk Holland, 97, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Houston, Texas. She was surrounded by family members at the time of her passing. Rita was born on March 14, 1929, in London, England to Lily and Julius Serchuk. She was the middle child of three daughters, Betty Rinkoff (deceased) and Hazel Bensky (92). Rita was trained in art and educated at the prestigious Central Saint Martins, but her education was cut short by World War II. At the age of 19, she followed her family to Houston, something she had to do alone after contracting and overcoming scarlet fever. Her sister, Betty, married a soldier from Houston and the entire family started a new life there. She became a naturalized citizen and then met Joe Holland, the love of her life, whom she married in 1951. They had three children, Herbert Holland, Daniel Jay Holland, and Jane Lenette Holland. The family had a wonderful life together until Joe’s sudden passing in 1972. Left with three kids and no formal education or degree to fall back on, Rita went to work for Knapp Lock and Key company where she answered calls and dispatched locksmiths. She then left to work for Kaye Marvins Photography where she utilized some of her art training to refinish and touch up photographs. Rita found her niche, though, becoming a bridal consultant, a career that lasted until she was in her 80’s. She planned and coordinated the weddings of Olympian Mary Lou Retton and at Gracie Mansion in New York City for the chief of staff of Mayor David Dinkins. She became the queen of the Houston Jewish wedding scene, planning the weddings of multiple generations within the same families. It was during this period of time that Rita met the second love of her life, Ezra Schacht, who gave her a new perspective on life, love, and politics. She cared for and loved him through his onset of Alzheimer's Disease. Unfortunately, his life was cut short by a car accident, which Rita survived. Alone again, Rita channeled her loss into grief counseling at Bo’s Place, a nonprofit bereavement center and was supported by her loving family and many friends at the Village of River Oaks, where she spent the last five years of her life. She is survived by her sister, Hazel, three children, seven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. The family would like to express its appreciation to Houston Hospice for taking care of Rita in her final days, Congregation Brith Shalom, and to all the people she has touched and who, in turn, touched her back. Donations in her memory may be made to Bo’s Place (https://bosplace.org/en/support-someone-grieving/donate/). A funeral service will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 1:00 pm in the Sophia & Jack Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Lane, Houston, Texas 77055, followed by a graveside service. A livestream of the service will be available at the following link: https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b

Rita Serchuk Holland

March 14, 1929 - April 22, 2026