Rita Mae Mason-Prather

Rita M. Mason-Prather, 86, passed away peacefully July 6, 2016 in Sun City, AZ due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Rita was born in Toledo, Ohio and raised in Lorain, Ohio. She is the daughter of Stephan and Julia Mate. Following a brief career with Ford Motor Company, Rita married Herbert Mason and they lived in various locations domestically and internationally during his successful career at Ford Motor Company. They retired to Sun City, AZ in 1975. After the death of her first husband in 1976, Rita met and married Samuel E Prather in 1991. They enjoyed 25 years of marriage traveling, golfing and spending time with family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel, in February of this year.

In addition to both of her husbands, Rita was also preceded in death by her parents and three older brothers. She is survived by sister-in-law and dear friend, Joan Mason Grether, step daughter Kathryn Smithhart (Rick), step sons, Thomas W Prather and Paul A Prather, grandsons, Doug Mason (Eileen Ho), Sam Smithhart, Scott Smithhart and granddaughter Suzanne Mason Prause (Paul), great granddaughter Claire Mason, nephews Robert Mate (Loran) and Gary Mate and several cousins.

Rita loved life and had the unique ability to make everyone feel special. She was very committed to God, her faith and family. She will be greatly missed by all of those who knew her.

Rita will be laid to rest with a private graveside service at Sunland Mortuary and Memorial Park in Sun City, AZ on July 21, 2016 at 10:00am.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center, Sun City, AZ.