Rita Grace Reid

Rita Grace Reid, 93, of Stevensville, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2015 at Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Stevensville surrounded in the love of her Granddaughter Renee’ and Grandson Brad. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Friday, October 9, 2015 at 9:30 AM with Father James Morris officiating.  Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery.  Friends may visit from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph.  In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service, Inc.  Those wishing to leave a memory or condolence of Rita online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Rita Grace Reid was born February 6, 1922 in Chicago, IL to Elizabeth (Cleary) and Earl Joseph Joyce. She attended St. Catherine’s of Sienna Academy and Rita attributed her excellent education to the Sisters of Mercy from grammar school through High School; graduating in 1939.  She went onto further her studies at De Paul University in Chicago, IL and at the University of Notre Dame.  In her younger days, Rita was quite the dancer and she also enjoyed playing girls basketball.  On September 28, 1940, she married the love of her life, Harrison James Reid in Chicago, IL. They enjoyed 63 years of marriage together.  Their only child; a son, Thomas James Reid II was born October 1, 1944. During World War II she and her husband worked for Chicago companies producing 100% War Work and remained until the war was over.  Harrison’s occupational deferment was mandatory. In 1945 they moved to their country home in Stevensville, MI.  They fell in love with Lake Michigan and soon created a family business together (Reid Products, Inc.) and enjoyed having their grandchildren and great-grandchildren living next door for most of their lives. Rita was an advertising and marketing executive who worked for more than 35 years at Paxson Advertising, Inc. in St. Joseph, MI.  As president, in 1977 she merged Paxson Advertising, Inc. with the Netedu Company in Benton Harbor.  She retired from the Netedu Company in 1987 as a vice president and account executive. Rita was very devoted to her family and community.  Since cancer touched the lives of so many she knew and loved, she joined the Berrien County Cancer Service, Inc. in 1958 and sat on their Board of Directors and served several terms as the Vice President.  Using her marketing degree and business connections; she was active in fundraising and in helping BCCS continue their legacy and mission of providing oncology nursing services to residents of Berrien County.  She considered the founding nurse of BCCS, Ms. Olove Colcord, RN her best friend.  At the time of Rita’s passing; she was the oldest, living Emeritus Board Member of the Berrien County Cancer Service and a four time cancer SURVIVOR.  She also was a member of the Business Professionals Club, American Marketing Association, Economic Club and the St. Joseph River Yacht Club. Rita and her husband Harrison were avid boaters.  Their boats were moored for over 35 years in the same slip at West Basin Marina, St. Joseph.  Their two granddaughters, Renee’ & Kristina, were their “first mates” and they enjoyed many joyful years taking vacations cruising Lake Michigan and had many picnics and parties that are now great memories for their Granddaughters Renee’ and Kristina. In her senior years, her Granddaughter Renee’ was her constant caregiver, companion and loving friend.  Their bond went far beyond Grandmother and Granddaughter.  A special friend, Ms. Rosetta Autman, R.N., helped Renee care for Rita in the home they shared together for over 10 years.  As her health declined; Pine Ridge would become Rita’s home and Renee’ would like to personally thank the beloved caregivers that she and Rita loved so much:  nurses Diana VanHorn, Diane Iannelli, her special CNA’s Wanda McCoy, Sheila Partee and Areatha Murphy.  The special BCCS Nurses that cared for Rita in her last 3 cancers were Nancy Church, Connie Demler and the late JoAnn Pullen-Bruni.  Rita loved her very special Oncologist Dr. Edmund Paloyan whom she credited for giving her several more quality years of life.   Rita loved her beloved cat “Mr. Bosley” and her “Grand Dog” Bubba.  Rita was also an avid Notre Dame fan. Surviving Rita is her son Thomas James (Michele) Reid, II, Vero Beach, FL; beloved Granddaughter Renee’ Elizabeth Reid-Smith, beloved Grandson Bradford Smith of Niles, Michigan; Granddaughter Kristina Marie Reid, Vero Beach, FL.  Her beloved Great-Granddaughter Amy Elizabeth Parnell, Stevensville, MI, Great-Granddaughter Ashley Erin (Aaron) Closson of St. Joseph, MI and Great Grandson Trevor James Costello of Chicago, IL.  Special niece Karen Kern (Jerry) Finkbonner of Ferndale, Washington, beloved sister-in-law Noreen Joyce of Burbank, IL; Nephews Earl (Monika) Joyce, Darien, IL, Michael (Mary Lynn) Joyce of Mokena, IL, John (Terry) Joyce, Tinley Park, IL, and Joseph (Suzan) Joyce, Hampshire, IL. Rita was preceded in death by her parents; beloved sister Marie Kern, brother-in-law Harold Kern, Niece Kathleen (Kern) Roberts, Nephew Patrick John Joyce, beloved brother Earl J. Joyce II, and her husband Harrison James Reid.