We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Rita here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.
My condolences to the family on their loss. I will always fondly remember those energetic games of "Jack-in-the-Box" at St. Basil school.
Cynthia Goerg Titman
March 26th, 2016 at 12:00am
Oh, how I loved Rita Callaghan! She came to my 8th grade class at St. Basil and did magic tricks for the kids, and to this day my son can make a salt shaker disappear. She was a great gal!
Cecilia Wondergem
March 26th, 2016 at 12:00am
You were such a joy to be around. Always smiling and laughing. You taught all my children and where always their favorite teacher. Rest in peace dear friend. We will miss you.
Delores Kaupa
March 26th, 2016 at 12:00am
Mrs. Callaghan left a deep imprint on my life by being my favorite teacher. When I became a teacher myself, it was always her love, energy, and wisdom that I tried to emulate. She provided me a life long love of reading, playing recess "king-ball," and writing stories. There were many times that I visited her after I moved from South Haven, and we became pen-pals for a time when I moved from Michigan. I still have the journal she gave me to keep my poems and favorite life quotes handy. What a remarkable woman; all of us who knew her are truly blessed!
Suzan Kaupa Eshleman
March 26th, 2016 at 12:00am
Dear Anne and Bob...your Mom was a St. Basil institution like Mrs. Betty Davis. They were married women, amidst nuns, who so believed in the power of education, especially a Catholic education in those days. Bless their hearts. There is not a student among us who knew your Mom who will ever forget her. She made a difference. She is a successful soul.
PJ Canonie-Bubin
March 26th, 2016 at 12:00am
Rita was my daughter Debbie's favorite teacher. She also taught, my daughter Carolyn magic tricks. She was a special person, and will be missed. God Bless You, and your family.
Carol Lash Budzyn
March 26th, 2016 at 12:00am
So sorry for your loss, Ann; prayers to you and your family.
Ruth Kirkpatriack Hewitt
March 27th, 2016 at 12:00am
prayers for the family she will be missed what a super lady
mary ann smith frazier
March 28th, 2016 at 12:00am
To Rita's family: We are so sorry to hear of your loved ones passing. We thought a great deal of Rita and spent many wonderful hours with her. She was such a joy to know and love. Her talents were seemingly unlimited. We shall miss her.
Fred and Jeannine Stone
March 28th, 2016 at 12:00am
How sad that we have lost Rita. We have memories of drinking Martinis and Manhattans at my house and at dinner last night Eric and I reminisced about her. He reminded me of the airplane Bob built in their basement and then couldn't get it out! Rita was an icon and a gem of a teacher and friend. God bless her and you, Anne and Bobby.
Mary Ann Antrim
March 28th, 2016 at 12:00am
Anne - I have such fond memories of your mom and her perpetual smile. She was a great teacher and a wonderful woman. She certainly left her mark on many children in various was. My sympathy and prayers for peace for you and your family.
Pam Schmidt Williams
March 30th, 2016 at 12:00am
Thinking of you in your loss. Rita was truly a lovely lady always with a smile and a kind word. A great neighbor.
Jay and Pat Gaston
March 30th, 2016 at 12:00am
A charming smart little lady who did so much for Scott Club. Rita was our President and a spark that kept us united. Ann and her brother were fine examples of attentive children over the years treasuring their mother.
lynn lyon
March 30th, 2016 at 12:00am
Was always a pleasure to call on Rita to substitute in the South Haven Public Schools. The minute she entered the classroom, she lit up the
Maury Carroll
April 1st, 2016 at 12:00am
Mrs. Callaghan was my librarian when I was a student at St. Basil School. I can remember her reading my favorite book "Stone Soup" and having us act out "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." I just loved her! I'm proud to say that I am now an elementary librarian myself. I hope I leave a lasting impression on my students as she did on me.
Tracy Overton Hiatt
April 1st, 2016 at 12:00am
Anne, I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother and that I missed this. I would have loved to have seen you again.
Judy (Starks) Gargano
April 2nd, 2016 at 12:00am
Anne, Bob, and family. So sorry for your loss. Rita was such a cheerful, loving lady. I enjoyed getting to know her over the years. She will be missed by all who know her. God Bless you all.
Elaine Ruell
April 5th, 2016 at 12:00am
How fondly I will remember Mrs. Callaghan - her warm heart, twinkling eyes, and Daisy the hand puppet! Was Daisy a dragon? Sending healing thoughts to her family.
A former second grader at St. Basil's
April 6th, 2016 at 12:00am
Mrs Callaghan was an amazing, enthusiastic teacher who knew how to reach her students. I remember her puppets when she substituted at St Basil's when I was in second grade! She was a good friend to my dad and helped him through some tough times. I am grateful that she played a part in my life. Thank you to the Callaghan family for sharing he with South Haven.
Margaret Janda Uprichard
April 18th, 2016 at 12:00am
Rita Callaghan was the BEST second grade teacher that Saint Basil's Elementary ever had. Her SRA Reading lab did not just teach children to read, it catapulted them to an English grade level far above that of any normal second grader. She utilized any and every new technique to teach and enlighten her children. She was a brilliant educator, who not only had a heart of gold but a backbone of steel. I saw Rita frequently at countryside and was always surprised when she would remember me and point out that I got very tall because I used to be much shorter than her. Then she would proudly tell the staff that she taught me to read. I always made sure to thank her for that too. To this day, reading is still a joy for me, a joy which I have passed down to my daughter. Because just like Mrs Callaghan said, reading can take you places. I am sorry that I will be unable attend her memorial service but the reason is one that Rita would definitely approve of. I will be taking my daughter to college orientation at the University of North Carolina in Asheville. And as long as it had to do with bettering your education, it was O.K. in her book.
Jean Sandstrom
June 19th, 2016 at 12:00am
