Rita Lili McIsaac

Rita McIsaac was a strong, caring woman who loved the theater, reading and travel. Above all, though, she loved her friends and family. Rita was a loving and generous person who always looked out for other people. She was both blessed by and a blessing to those she loved.

Rita was born to Louis and Tassia (Holoyos) Williams on September 25, 1941. She entered the world during the midst of World War II, which spanned from 1939 through 1945. Her father Louis was known to many in the community of Detroit where he worked in his store as a hat seller, cleaner, shoe shiner, and suit presser. The Williams family had many ties to the Greek community in Detroit because both of her parents originally came from Greece . Tassia, Rita's mother, stayed home to care for Rita, her older brother Bill, and her younger brother, Emanuel (Manny). Tassia was a loving and caring mother who took good care of the family, and Rita always remembered her mother's fondness for the beauty and scent of flowers.

Growing up, Rita enjoyed many large Greek celebrations with her closely knit family. They celebrated their heritage and holidays. Easter was an especially large production in the Williams' home. They celebrated by feasting on a spring lamb and dying eggs red to symbolize Christ's sacrificial blood. The family would later join in the "breaking of the eggs," which was done by taking turns cracking each other's eggs. Whoever's egg did not break on both ends would have good luck the rest of the year. Rita enjoyed her childhood, and she grew up with the privilege of speaking both Greek and English. She attended Cooley High School and successfully graduated in 1959. Not only was Rita a good student, but she also had a passion for teaching. After high school, she went on to earn her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Wayne State University . Upon completing her education, Rita began her teaching career at Redford Elementary. She was dedicated to fulfill her passion to teach, but she also knew to take time for herself. She loved to see the world and once took one of her summers off work to travel to South America . Traveling was a real adventure for Rita, and at one point, she took a leave of absence to go and enjoy the scenic wonders of living in Phoenix, Arizona for a year.

Rita's father passed away, and at that time she made the decision to return to Michigan . When she was back home, she began a job at New York Life Insurance. To unwind and have some fun she enjoyed hanging out at Ford Pendulum Club to dance and relax. It was there that she met Stephen. She and Stephen immediately hit it off and they were amazed at the number of similarities they shared. They were both social individuals who liked to go out dancing, and they shared the same taste in desserts. On August 27, 1977, three years after they met, Rita and Stephen tied the knot. They were married at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. For their honeymoon, the couple went all out with a romantic trip to Greece .

Once married, Rita and Stephen began their lives in an apartment in Southfield . They settled into the same complex where Rita's mom was residing. In 1980, Rita gave birth to their daughter Christine. It was a joy for them to begin their family and they decided to settle into a larger home in West Bloomfield where they put down their roots. In 1981, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Heather. Five years later, in 1986, the baby of the family was born, their blessed daughter, Stephani. Rita was a wonderful mother and she welcomed the opportunities to be involved in her daughter's lives as they grew up. She attended school activities and joyfully participated in Brownie functions as well. The whole family created many lasting memories on their annual trips to Sanibel Island where Stephen and Rita owned a timeshare. The family went every October to the island and took additional trips throughout the years to visit with relatives. Throughout her life, Rita had the chance to travel to throughout the United States, Canada, Bermuda, South America Hawaii, Europe, Mexico, a Caribbean Cruise and back again to Greece .

Although she was also a mom, she did continue to teach. In the mid 1990's, she and her friend, Kixie taught English as a Second Language together at West Bloomfield to adults. She could teach, but her family joked that she was direction deficient. They never let her forget the one time when she was working for New York Life Insurance and she made a wrong turn that brought her all the way to Toledo . Over the years, life became difficult for Rita. She began forgetting things and eventually she had to leave her job. Later, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which she had suffered with for the last nine years. Stephen stood by Rita's side and selflessly gave of himself to caring for her needs in their home. Rita's life was shorter than we all would have hoped for, but while she was here she added sweetness to the lives of those around her. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who were blessed enough to know her.

Rita McIsaac died Oct. 26, 2005 at the age of 64. She was the beloved wife of Stephen, loving mother of Christine, Heather, and Stephani, sister of Bill (Mary Jo) Williams and the late Emanuel, and loving aunt of many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Sunday 2:00p.m.-4:00p.m. & 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m with a prayer service at 7:30p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 Twelve Mile Rd , in Farmington Hills . Funeral will be on Monday, Instate 10:30a.m., with service at 11:00a.m. at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 36375 Joy Rd. , in Westland . In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Please visit Rita's personal memory page at www.lifestory.net where you can share a memory or make a memorial contribution.