Rita Marie Samus

Rita Marie Samus was born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 16, 1925 to the late Thomas and the late Mary. She was the youngest of seven children. Rita passed away peacefully, in her Livonia, Michigan home, with her family by her side, under the gentle care of Angela Hospice on October 3, 2018 at the age of 93.

Rita was the beloved wife of the late Sylvester for almost 50 years until 1997. She was the loving mom of Diana (Jim), Corinne (David), Sharon (Jeff), Lisa (Michael), Sandra and Nadine. Proud Grandma of Devina (Jeffrey), Jennifer (Dennis), Tim, Jeffrey, Kaitlyn (Peterson), Michael (Andrea), Natasha (John), Justin, Jonathan (Amanda), and Jesse. Dearest GiGi of Cayla, Nathan, Nolan, Aiden, Mary Jane, Blair, Aiden, Hannah, Sydney, Chase, Chloe, Colton, Falyn, and Drayke.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.

Rita was kind, gentle, and a devout Catholic that watched the daily Mass and Rosary on TV. Rita loved playing Bingo, Keno, and Dice and kept her mind sharp doing crossword puzzles. She liked shopping, fishing, and enjoyed all genres of music, with a special fondness for Elvis, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Tom Jones. She enjoyed watching the Hallmark Mystery and Discovery ID Channels, as well as her Detroit Tigers. Her cooking will not be forgotten, especially her potato pancakes, cottage cheese blintzes, and cucumbers and sour cream. Holiday meals were over-the-top with Rita’s potato salad. Her passion was her family and she simply loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother “GiGi”. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Rita’s family will receive friends for a visitation on Friday, October 5, 2018 from 3pm to 8pm with a 6pm Rosary Service at Harry J. Will Funeral Home 37000 Six Mile (Just east of Newburgh) Livonia, MI 48152.

Rita’s life will be celebrated with an 11am Funeral Mass (In State 10:30am) on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church 27101 W. Chicago (at Inkster), Redford, Michigan 48239. Mass will be led by Father Richard Leliaert.

Rita will be laid to rest with Committal Prayers next to her husband in St. Hedwig Catholic Cemetery, Dearborn Heights, MI.

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