Rita R. Mathes

Rita Mathes(nee Quenneville) Age 86, Dec. 17, 2008. Beloved wife of the late Peter. Loving mother of Linda (Dick) Miltner, Tom (Lil), Barbara (Pat Alguire), Denise (Al) Fields, Pat (Dave) Westfall, Dave (Sharon), Suzanne, Mark (Sue), Mary Lou (Mike Behen), and the late James (Claudia) and John. Dear grandmother of 26 and great-grandmother of 10. A lifelong pioneer in the advancement of all human and civil rights, Rita was a true inspiration to many. Born August 12, 1922 in rural northern French-speaking Canada, Rita moved to Detroit, worked in an auto factory as part of the war effort and was named "Queen of the Boxmakers." After raising a large family, Rita went on to earn a GED and a degree in social work from WSU. In her never-ending pursuit of social justice, she was involved in Focus Hope and the Women's Public Affairs Committee. She worked for Big Brother Big Sister and a senior citizen job-placement program, and she volunteered at Schoolcraft College Women's Resource Center. She was an active member of Unity of Livonia. Rita was loved by many and will be missed by all. Visitation at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Friday from 3 - 9 PM and Saturday from 10 AM until Funeral Service at 11 AM. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association - Metro Detroit Region, or the charity of your choice. Please share a memory of Rita in her guestbook. Funeral Home: R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services 15451 Farmington Rd. Livonia, MI US 48154