Rita B. Farrell

FARRELL, Rita B.
of Kalamazoo, MI Rita Louise Brennan Farrell was born on June 12, 1919, in Gary, Indiana, to John and Dorothy Brennan, and died on September 9, 2009. She was predeceased by her brother Edward, sisters Margaret and Patricia, half-brother John and half-sisters Mary Elizabeth and Dorothy Mae. She is survived by sister Lenora Brennan Desautels Florida, brother-in-law Paul A. Weaver, Jr. Kalamazoo, sister-in-law Dr. Susan Brennan Paw Paw, as well as her children, Michael Annie, Peter, Kevin and Sheila, granddaughters Kelly and Susan Scavone, and many cousins and nieces and nephews. At age five, her family moved to Paw Paw where she graduated high school. Rita obtained her Bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Nazareth College, majoring in Speech and Literature. She was an active participant in debate and theater. Following graduation, she taught in Kelloggsville, Michigan, prior to enlisting in the WAVES of the U.S. Navy in 1942. She trained at Smith College and Harvard prior to serving in Washington, D.C., in the Office of Strategic Services/O.S.S., the predecessor to the C.I.A., with Director James "Wild Bill" Donovan. At war's end, she was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant, j.g. She then married Lt. Commander William J. Farrell of Buffalo, New York, where they first settled and began a family. They subsequently moved to Great Lakes Naval Station Chicago, New Jersey and Syracuse, New York, where she taught high school English. She later moved with her children to Kalamazoo. She was a dedicated teacher and taught English for over 20 years at Loy Norrix High School before retiring. She also was an adjunct member of the W.M.U. faculty. Rita had a great wit and enjoyed entertaining friends at dinner parties. With each of her children attending the University of Michigan, she became an ardent follower of Michigan football. Rita was a staunch Democrat, a life long member of the A.C.L.U. and a strong advocate of women's rights and civil rights. She enjoyed the theater and was an avid reader. She loved spending time with family at the Lake Michigan beach in South Haven, as well as winter trips to Florida. She will be greatly missed and shall live forever in our hearts. Rita's family would like to acknowledge the quality care she received at Bronson and Borgess Hospitals and from Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Her family also wants to extend its deepest and most sincere appreciation for the truly outstanding care provided her by the many wonderful staff at Park Place Living Center in Kalamazoo. They were truly spectacular in every way. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Rita's memory to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo 49007 and Community Healing Centers, 2615 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 49008. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Visitation will be Friday evening from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Langeland Memorial Chapel at 622 South Burdick Street, Kalamazoo. A funeral mass will be held at St. Monica's Catholic Church, 4408 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Please see www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and condolences. 343-1508