Rita B. Hetherington

Rita B. Hetherington, age 82, a longtime resident of Roseville, died December 31, 2010. Mrs. Hetherington passed away after a long illness, while surrounded by her children. Rita was born July 30, 1928, in Manchester, New Hampshire, the daughter of the late Frank and Grace Kathan. After high school graduation, she joined the U.S. Air Force (1950-1953) and served during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Airman First Class and earning military honors. While serving in Japan during the war, she met her husband Theodore and they returned to his home state of Michigan to live and raise their family. The Hetheringtons were married for 57 years. Mr. Hetherington passed away on December 13, 2010. Proud of her military background, Rita became the first female member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Walter F. Bruce Post 1146 in St. Clair Shores and was a life member of the VFW. She was a member of Women in Military Service for America and was present for the grand opening of the national memorial in Washington DC that honors the patriotism and bravery of all women who served in our nations defense. Rita also earned a Citizen of the Month Award from the Macomb County Sheriffs Department in July 2003 for helping Roseville police apprehend a pair of people preying on senior citizens. Rita was the dearest mother of Glen (Anne) Hetherington, Gail England (Pat Butts) and Teresa (David) Gorgon. She was also the loving grandmother of Michelle (Chris) Burmistrzak, Kyle T. Hetherington, Keith Gorgon and Steven Gorgon, the great grandmother of Matthew, Kimberly and Ethan Burmistrzak, and the dear sister of the late Frank Kathan of New Hampshire and late Helen Warren of Massachusetts. Visitation for Mrs. Hetherington will be 5-9 pm Sunday and 2-9 pm Monday, with a 7pm evening vigil on Monday, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 1/2 Mile Road). Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 am Tuesday at the Funeral Home, followed by full military honors. Interment will take place Wednesday at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Memorial donations to In-House Hospice or the Women in Military Service for America are appreciated. Please share memories of Mrs. Hetherington at her guest book.