Rita L. Belanger

Rita L. Belanger

Rita Laverne Belanger (Little Grandma, GG) passed away peacefully on December 18th. She is preceded in death by her mother Alma, father Jack, husband Lawrence, sister Jackie, grandson Brandon, daughter Pam and son-in-law Jerry. 

Rita was born in Calumet, Michigan, in 1923. Her mother, Alma Fertal, raised Rita and her 11-month younger sister Jackie, mostly on her own. Her father was married seven times, twice to the same woman! When Rita was 11 they hitched a ride with only a borrowed $5 to her aunt’s house in Detroit. In the neighborhood Rita met Joseph Lawrence and he stole her heart. They got married and shortly after she became pregnant with Pam. Early on in the pregnancy, Lawrence was deployed by the Navy and fought in World War II. Cathy and Mark followed, as well as dogs Elkie, Heidi and Spot. Rita worked at Burroughs for many years and she spent her free time gardening, shopping for deals and getting her hair set weekly. The family moved to Livonia in 1961 and stayed there until Lawrence died in 1997. 

Rita loved animal prints, crafting, taking bubble baths (never a shower) and watching variety shows. She is famous for her ugly jello, “befham wood” (a beef stew) on Christmas, and saying “whatchacall.” In her later years she loved watching the moon over building 3, playing cards and complaining about her teeth. Losing her grandson Brandon and daughter Pam were likely the saddest days in her life. Rita leaves behind her loyal daughter Cathy and son-in-law Ken and her loving son Mark and daughter-in-law Patty. She had seven grandchildren: Eric (Val) and Becky (Gunnar), Jason (Sara) and Natalie (Colin), and Brandon (Missy), Joel (Sarah) and Jeremy (Melissa). She also leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren: Trevor and Hunter (Chloe), Caroline and Jack, Brecken and Shaw, Finn and Keeley, Emma, and Allie and Myla.   

A Memorial Mass will take place

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Gathering 10:30 am ~ Mass 11:00am 

St. Genevieve - St. Maurice Catholic Church

29015 Jamison Street

Livonia, Michigan 48154

A luncheon will follow Mass.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105

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