Rita Jo Parrette Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Our beautiful loving Mother, Nana and Darling wife, Rita Jo Parrette of Cadillac died Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Cadillac. She was 92. She was born on July 13, 1919 in Wiarton, Ontario, Canada. Her parents Earl D. & Hazel Smith raised her in Grand Rapids.. Rita was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Cadillac where she served on the Board and in the Women\'s fellowship. On June 21, 1940 in Grand Rapids she married Richard T. Parrette and he survives her along with their children: Sharon (Richard) Ulrey, Cynthia (Richard) Poulos all of Cadillac, Richard (Valerie) Parrette, Jr. of LaPorte, IN, Michael (Paula) Parrette of Sugar Grove, IL, Jane (Richard) LeFere of Jackson, and Candice (Brian) Gudowski of Cadillac; 12 grandchildren: Rick (Colleen Ulrey, Kimberley (Cliff) Wilkinson, Jamie (Dean) Walker, Tamara Ulrey, Amy (Frank) Cardello, Chad (Jen) Parrette, Chris (Mary) Poulos, Jodie (Jeff) Bach, Michael (Jessica) Parrette, Danielle Renwick, Jenny Parrette, and Nikolas (Amber Simms) Gudowski; 16 great grandchildren: Ivy & Zoe Ulrey, Tara & Chris Donnzell, Robert Fisk, Jacob & Gregor Torrey, Alyssa & Lexie Cardello, Matthew & Marie Parrette, Kayla & Evan Bach, Kallie Poulos, Keegan & Kaleb Gudowski; and 2 great great grandchildren: Michael & Harmony Donnzell; a sister, Mary Ann Withey of Grand Rapids and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Shirley Gannon and a son, Kim S. Parrette and a grandson-in-law, Benn Renwick. Our Mother was a very loving caring person with a great sense of humor and was always caring for the less fortunate. She gave to many charities and will be sadly missed by all of us. Memorial services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, October 1, 2011at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac with Reverend Bruce Rose officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice or to your local animal shelter. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Rita Jo Parrette

July 13, 1919 - September 17, 2011