Rita Marie Michaels passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021. She was 75.

Rita was born to Francis and Rita (Finney) Vargo on February 26, 1946 in Detroit, MI. Rita was called to holiness and selflessness. In discerning the vocation God desired for her, she spent time in the Convent preparing for vows but ultimately followed God's calling to marital life.

Rita was holy. She was vigilant in her faith and ceaseless in her prayers. She was a great intercessor and gave wise counsel. She was moved by the suffering of others, and helped many others to carry their crosses in life. She was meek and humble, but fierce with her beloved Rosary - her weapon. Her generosity knew no limits. She had a twinkle in her eyes when she would laugh that would lighten the hardest of hearts.

She took vows as a Fully Professed Third Order Carmelite. She was active in the Carmelite community and its ministry for many years.

Rita was a graduate of the Lansing Community College Nursing Program and worked as a Registered Nurse on 8 South at Sparrow Hospital for many years. She ministered to many souls in their final hours.

She married her beloved husband, Ray Shannon Michaels, on July 10, 1970, answering God's call to Marriage and Motherhood. They were members of Saint Valentine Church in Redford Township, MI and began their family there. The family moved to Lansing and joined the Church of the Resurrection where her children attended school. Rita also generously aided many other children in the neighborhood to be able to attend Resurrection School.

Rita loved her five children so much and sacrificed always for their benefit. Surviving her are: her five children, Rebecca Anne Michaels, Jessica Marie (Dan) Michaels Johnson, Helene Marie (Tom) Burkhardt, Ray Luke (Sarah) Michaels, and Therese Marie (Rick) Weimer. Also surviving her are, her twelve grandchildren (and innumerable adopted grandchildren in the neighborhood). She was a tutor, a teacher, and an example of virtue to her grandchildren. She was an instrument of peace, steadfastness, and solace to all. Her grandchildren found shelter from the world sitting in her lap.

Rita received the Anointing of the Sick and the Apostolic Pardon from a Catholic Priest before she passed on to her reward.

Visitation will be held at the Riley Funeral Home in Lansing on Friday, December 17 from 4:00-7:00pm with the Rosary being prayed at 6:30. Catholic Funeral Mass will be at the Church of the Resurrection on Saturday, December 18, at 11:00am, and internment at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Church of the Resurrection in Mercy Hall.

Ray and Rita and the Michaels family appreciate you being here to help celebrate their lives and God's Glory. It is very important to the family that this be the focus and that conversation and questions related to Covid be refrained from.

Salve Regina!

Arrangements for Mrs. Michaels are as follows: