Rita A. Lee

Rita A. Lee, 94, passed away Sunday Morning, April 10, 2011, at 9:25AM at Sheppard of the Valley in Howland, OH. She was born on July 21, 1916, one of two children of the late Earl and Hester (Bacon) Kennedy in Pierpont, OH. Rita was a 1934 graduate of Gustavus High School and went on to marry Merlin "Buss" Lee on October 5, 1935. Together they would reside in Gustavus and Fowler, Ohio during which time she worked for Mullins Manufacturing and Packard Electric until her retirement. In 1985, they moved to Lake Wales, Florida until 2005 when health issues caused them to return to Ohio. Mrs. Lee enjoyed mostly her family and friends, but also enjoyed sewing, knitting, crossword puzzles, playing cards, and playing the piano. She also had played piano and had been choir director at the Fowler United Methodist Church for many years. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Gary and Christine (Mangold) Lee of Cortland, OH; three granddaughters Jennifer (Barry) Noble of Lansdale, PA, Jamie (Gregor) Gilliom of Columbus, OH, and Karen (Jeff) Davidson of Fredericktown, OH; also surviving are nine-great-grandchildren Olivia, Mary, Jacob, Michael, and Tommy Noble, Garrett and Griffin Gilliom, Rachel and Mark Davidson. She was preceded in death by her husband of more than seventy years, and infant son Roger G. Lee, and her brother Ernest Kennedy. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Friday April 15, 2011 at the Shafer-Winans Funeral Chapel 164 North High Street in Cortland, Ohio 44410. Friends may call one hour prior to the start of the service. Burial will be at North View Cemetery in Gustavus, Ohio.