Rita A.

of Lansing, Michigan

Born July 24, 1916 in Nevada Township, Illinois, Rita was the youngest child of William Joseph and Catherine Alice (Holohan) Morrissey. Mrs. Iott moved to Carland, Michigan with her family at a very early age. She grew up in the Shiawassee County area and graduated from St. Paul High School, Owosso, MI in 1934. Mrs. Iott attended and graduated in 1964 with a teaching degree from Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI. She met and married the love of her life, Orville Joseph (Rip) Iott in 1942. After Rip?s death in 1960, Mrs. Iott continued to raise their five children while teaching at St. Anthony Catholic School in Temperance, MI and for many years in the Bedford School District. Mrs. Iott retired from teaching in 1980 and moved to the Lansing area. She was a member of St. Alphonsus Parish in Deerfield, MI and St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing. Her religious faith was the centerpiece of her life for 92 years. To her grandchildren, she was ?Mimi? and in their eyes, the most wonderful grandma any child could have. Her wisdom, intelligence and generous spirit will be missed. Mrs. Iott was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; 5 siblings, and many brothers and sisters-in-law. Surviving are her children, Rev. Martin J. Iott, O.P., Mary (Rev. Warren) Walrath, Kathleen (Edward) Rodgers, Cecilia (W. John) Gachugu, Michael (Nancy) Iott; grandchildren, Matthew (Julianna), Daniel (Anna), and Michael (Charrise) Tuell, Leo C. Rodgers, Katherine (Andrew) Oberhammer, Joseph (Shannon) Rodgers, Maggie Rodgers, Grace, Njugu, and Maina Gachugu, Melissa (Adam) Krat, Rachal and Susie Iott and Austin Belanger-Iott; great-grandchildren, Lucas Santibanez, Joshua and Madelyn Rodgers, Lila Tuell, Fritz Oberhammer; brother and sister-in-law, Robert (Margery) Iott; sister-in-law, Maureen Iott; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation is 5:30-9:00PM Friday, January 16, 2009 with a 7:30PM Scripture Service at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 West Saginaw, Lansing 48917 in Lansing Township. The Funeral Mass is 11:00AM Saturday, January 17, 2009 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 222 Carey Street, Deerfield, MI 49238, with visitation from 10-11AM at the church. The Rite of Committal is St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery in Deerfield. It was Mrs. Iott?s wish that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in her memory to Sparrow Home Hospice Services, St. Martin dePorres School for African American Children in Columbia, SC, or The Dominican Province of St. Martin dePorres.