Rita was a friend since the first day at JSM .  We remained friends as did the other "Freshman"  Stella, Joy, Peggy. Ellen. Sharon and many others.   She will be missed.  She and Leon are together once again.
Joni (Baron) Williams

Love. 

That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of my mom, Rita.

People throw around the word “love” frivolously – “I love my iPod,” “I love my car,” “I love my phone.” You didn't hear my mom talk like that. She treated “love” more seriously than that. She saved it for her family and friends.

My mom emanated love throughout her life. As much as she received, I'm guessing she gave even more. It was ironic that later in life she needed a pacemaker because everyone who knew her knew there was nothing wrong with her heart. My mom's love was pure. She seemed to have an endless supply of it to give as a daughter, sister, wife, mom, aunt, grandma and friend.   

My mom's true love was Leon. The Morton High School graduates were married for 46 years. My dad may have won a baseball state championship, but his best team was the one he formed with my mom. Their adventure together took them to a trailer in Carbondale, a couple apartments in Cicero and, finally, for the long haul, their home in Villa Park. They shared their love, leaned on each other's strengths, tolerated the weaknesses and made a rich life together, winning much more than losing, even if that wasn't always true when they played the slots. For the only proof needed to see that they came out way ahead in the game, take a look at my sisters, Michele and Andrea, and their kids, Ryan, Calli and Hannah. 

As if being a full-time mom wasn't enough, Rita also worked at different times as a switchboard operator for Mercury Records, banquet waitress for Indian Lakes Country Club and teacher's aide at North School. My mom and dad's hard work and selfless saving enabled me and my sisters to graduate college with no debt. While my mom would have earned a doctorate degree in shopping if there was such a thing, she looked for bargains and did not splurge on fancy clothes or expensive trips for herself. She preferred to buy for others. The “bottomless bags” she gave to her grandchildren for birthdays and Christmas are famous in our family.    

Speaking of Christmas, my mom rivaled Mrs. Claus when it came to the holiday. With my dad in charge of decorations and drinks and my mom responsible for everything else, my parents hosted a big Christmas Eve party for both sides of the family and friends for decades. While everyone enjoyed themselves, my mom worked for hours in our modest kitchen churning out an endless supply of food ranging from mushroom cups to Bohemian kolache, and watched the gifts she bought for everyone opened that night before putting more under the tree for the next morning. For all the gifts Rita showered on her loved ones, she reminded everyone of the true meaning of Christmas by having us sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus complete with candles on a cake for him.

My mom was a child of the ‘50s and her taste could run black-and-white. It was probably best for everyone else in the family that her fandom of “The Lawrence Welk Show” was not contagious, though she subjected my dad to one of the show's concerts. (I can still hear him complaining that they were the youngest people there.) But she had some good taste, too. She liked her country music, including George Straight, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss. Together, we saw George Jones and Tanya Tucker at county fair concerts, and she ventured to FitzGerald's to see Marty Stuart. Oh yeah, my mom could play the accordion, too.

Everyone who knew Rita well has their own stories about her to tell, which is fitting of course because my mom liked to tell stories, sometimes the same one more than once. And sometimes her kids even knew who she was talking about. But even as her long stories sometimes tested our patience, you had to admire her ability to connect with people. She always seemed to know someone wherever she was at. She looked forward to school reunions and enjoyed running into people at funerals who she hadn't seen in awhile. In fact, the moment of truth has arrived. If anyone could talk to people at their own funeral, it would be Rita. She liked nothing more than connecting with people.  Even in this digital age, while she was no stranger to her computer and email, she still wrote handwritten letters, added heartfelt messages inside greeting cards and made sure to express her appreciation by taking the time to send thank you cards. 

I'll be eternally grateful to my mom for so many reasons, including teaching me right from wrong – which is no small accomplishment in itself if you take a good look around these days. Her boundless love and never-ending support provided the light for me and my interests to develop and grow. She indulged my passions, making it possible for me to pursue them and, just as importantly, making my spirit comfortable to investigate them.

Just the other day, I was wondering where my interest in art started that has led me to visit some of the best museums in the world. Then it dawned on me. My mom volunteered to be an art mother to one of my classes in grade school. I recall not being crazy seeing her in my class thanks to my-even-then independent nature, but I still remember her telling us about a Winslow Homer painting. I believe that must have planted an art appreciation seed in me. Years later, she gifted me a membership to the Art Institute.

In what turned out to be a special baseball season in 1983 on the South Side, my mom must have thought my involved plan to acquire tickets to the All-Star Game made sense -- or she knew how badly I wanted them -- because she wrote a couple dozen checks, each covering the cost of a pair of tickets, as I strategically mailed applications to the lottery. One of my entries wound up being picked, enabling me and my dad to go to the game. Then come playoff time in October, my mom drove me and a friend to Comiskey Park and dropped us off to camp out overnight to buy tickets, then returned the next morning to pick us up. This time, I attended the game with her. After we watched the Sox lose the series in a heartbreaking, extra-inning loss on a cold day, my mom hung with me by the players' parking lot so I could wait for autographs. Afterward, she said we should have invited Jerry Dybzynski to join us for dinner because he looked so despondent after committing his legendary base-running blunder.      

As I continued living at home after college while starting my sports writing career, my dad said it was time to start paying rent, especially since I had money to buy music CDs. I argued I'd move out faster if I didn't have to pay rent, but lost that fight. When I finally did move out, on the day I left, my mom, unbeknownst to my dad, gave me every dollar I had paid in rent.   
 
Throughout my time as a sports writer, my mom was my biggest fan. She also complimented my stories. That meant more to me than she knew. It was always comforting to know that, no matter what, she supported me, and it was fun to share good times with her. The White Sox 2005 World Series season started with us watching an Opening Day victory in the bleachers and ended with us celebrating the championship with champagne at my house party. I was so lucky to have her as my mom, and my sisters would tell you the same thing. She always looked out for us.

My mom was no front-runner. Her devotion to her loved ones didn't waver during tough times. It was no coincidence that her mom and my dad's mom lived with my parents at the end of their lives. She stayed by my dad's side religiously as he battled lung and brain cancer for two tough years before he died a year ago. 

After giving so much of herself, my mom didn't deserve to leave us so early and spend the last month of her life struggling in a hospital. She bounced back a couple times, surprising the doctors and causing them to tell her she was tough. It wasn't her fault leukemia was too much to overcome. As she laid in bed last week, she told me she had a good life. I would add that she made her family and friend's lives good, too. All those lucky to have known Rita will always love her. And her love will continue to live in all of us.

So sorry for your second loss in such a short time.   You will both be missed.   Chuck Lederer/CLS Snow&Mgmt.

So very sorry to hear this sad news.  Rita was a childhood friend and a very special person.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

What a beautiful tribute to both your parents in the gallery.  Rita was a beautiful woman through all her years.  Love and prayers to you and your siblings Michele.

To my cousins Dave, Michele and Andrea,
I'm sorry I am so far away and can't be there with you to say goodbye and celebrate Aunt Rita.I am struggling with the right words to say. There are two things that often come to mind when I think of Aunt Rita - her smile and her thoughtfulness.  She was always smiling and had such an infectious laugh.  The thing I appreciated so much about Aunt Rita was that she was always the first to write or call for any occasion - whether a birthday or anniversary, or just to check in.   And she always included a personal note in her cards and emails giving an update on any latest news and checking in asking about things going on with me.  She was truly one of a kind, touched so many lives and will be missed so much by so many.  Even though we are miles apart, your Colorado family is just a phone call, keyboard or plane ride away and are always here for you.  Love you all so much!

There are a lot of memories that come to my mind when I think about my Aunt Rita.  But, nothing compares to all the wonderful memories of Christmas Eve at her and Uncle Leon's house.  Going to their house on Christmas Eve was a family tradition and one that I looked forward to every year.  Their house would be filled with family, friends, good food, and so much laughter.  Aunt Rita would be busy in the kitchen, putting food out for everyone to eat, and Uncle Leon would be behind the bar, pouring drinks for everyone and freaking out all of us kids with his goofy finger trick.  The house would be filled with holiday decorations, and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer could be heard on the record player.  When I think back to all of those holidays, it only makes sense that Christmas Eve was always at their house.  Aunt Rita, forever the social butterfly, opened up her home to whomever wanted to stop by and made everyone feel welcome.  Always genuinely interested in what everyone was up to, Aunt Rita, even with a house full of people, went out of her way to make everyone feel special.  Some of the happiest times of my childhood were sitting with all my cousins in Aunt Rita's living room in front of the Christmas tree, anxiously waiting to open presents.  As we all grew up, moved away, and had families of our own, Christmas Eve inevitably changed, but Aunt Rita, whether she realized it or not, found a small way to forever remind me of all of our family's holiday memories.  When my children were born, she gave each of them Christmas ornaments to hang on our tree, giving them a start to their ornament collection and giving me a reminder of some of the best times of my childhood.  Aunt Rita, you will be forever missed and forever loved.

Wayne and I are so sad to have lost another Dear friend.  Rita and Leon first became good neighbors in Villa Park and ended up being Great Dear friends after all these 42 plus years. We will miss them both so much. I will especially miss our two hour phone conversations  that really over nothing  important...but always fun to hear her voice.She truly was a very special friend that I miss so much.  Our deepest sympathy to all her family.

So sorry to hear about Rita's passing.  A new friend and family member from way back.  My thoughts and prayers are for her family.

Rita never changed, going way back to our St. Valentine days. She enjoyed life and we enjoyed getting together with her when she joined our Val Pal girls get togethers over the last few years. I'll miss seeing her and our email conversations.

I have known Mrs. Miller since I was a little girl.  Mrs. Miller was my mom's best friend.  I will always remember Mrs. Miller's smile, infectious laughter and kind heartedness.  She was a great friend to my mom.  Dear Andrea, Michelle and David please accept our deepest sympathy on behalf of my mom (Valerie), myself, and sister (Dana).  Mrs. Miller will be so missed!!!!

Carl and I are so sorry to hear of Rita's passing.  We go back a long time,  and it was so nice to get together with her last spring at my sister, Judie's.  She will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers all with all of you during this difficult time.

Our hearts are heavy, but know Lloyd and I are with you in thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Rita was a wonderful lady, we will miss her smile and upbeat attitude.

Rita & Family, my prayers are with you. So sorry to hear of Rita's passing so soon. I am so thankful that she found us after all those years--childhood friends ready to re-connect. I am glad we had time to reminisce through our phone calls. I know you will be watching down on your family and friends from heaven. A mass is offered for you on Sunday at Christ the King. God Bless.

Rita, we shared a lifetime of joy and sorrow, dear friend.  Your legacy will be your family, for sure, and your unselfish, relentless way of keeping people connected.  Joe, Linda, Barbara so sorry for your loss.  David, Michele, Andrea hold mom in your heart every day going forward.  She continues to be your best cheerleader!  Ryan, Calli and Hannah..your grandmother loved you all so very much..she told many stories about the times you shared with her and made her so happy.  Rest in peace, my friend...

To Rita family 
I'm very sorry for your loss. Rita in heaven we will miss you at our
get together very much,  I'm praying for you and your family. Always
Vicki Lemon

Sorry to hear about your mother's passing.   Our parents were such good friends, it seems hard to believe that we have grown to the point it is now our time.  Condolences to all the family at this sad time.

Brigitte & Craig Sobol
Myrtle Beach, SC

To my Grammar School friend, you will be deeply missed. You are with Leon now, I will be praying for you and your family in this time of sadness.
Your Friend, 
Jane Cotten

I am deeply saddened and devastated by the news of the passing of my (and many others) dear friend, Rita.  Yes, she was all those things (Sox fan, country music listener, etc., etc.), but she was a great a true friend.  And, my dance partner at all those St. Valentine gatherings.  Thank God I was able to spend some time with her when I was in Chicago just this past September.  That was only 8 months ago!  We just never know - do we?  To her children, grandchildren, brother and sisters I extend my deepest sympathy. I can only imagine how difficult and overwhelming this must be for you.  It's times like this that I hate living so far away (Oregon).  Rita, you will be so missed by many of us for a lot of reasons - but mostly because it was you who always kept the gang together and in touch.  I will miss your smile, your energy, your positive attitude and our live phone chats.
Lovingly, Shirley Sobie

Rest in peace, Mrs. Miller. You will be missed dearly.

Dear Andrea & Family,                                                                           We were so sorry to hear of your Mother passing.  I guess she needed to be with your Father in paradise !!! We always admired the wonderful and devoted parents that were always on the baseball field watching their daughter on the mound.                           God had blessed you with wonderful parents and he blessed them with wonderful children !!!  May you share the happy memories with one another always!!!      Love The Koyer Family

OBITUARIO

Rita M Miller

26 abril, 1943 – 16 mayo, 2014

Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home & Cemetery

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