Rita A. Parker

Rita A. Parker, 80 of Gaylord, fell asleep in death on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.

Born on May 27, 1936 in Detroit, Rita was the daughter of Anthony and Antoinette (Pecora) Belmonte.

On April 21, 1956, Rita married Gene W. Parker in East Detroit, where they raised three children; sons, Michael and David; and a daughter, Susan.

Rita worked for the Internal Revenue Service at the federal building in Detroit, retiring in May of 1998.  After retiring she and Gene moved to Gaylord to be near their daughter, Susan and her family.  For several years they enjoyed spending winters in Scottsdale, AZ.

Gene preceded Rita in death in 2007.  Following his death, she moved to Eastpointe to live near her son, Michael.  She moved again to Gaylord on February 6, 2017.

Rita’s family and friends will long remember her love of knitting, crocheting and cooking.  She was especially known for her Spaghetti and Meatballs.

In addition to her husband Gene; Rita was also preceded in death by her sons, David Lee Parker in 2009, Michael G. Parker in 2016; and a brother, Richard Belmonte.  She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Kevin McDonald of Gaylord; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Parker of Eastpointe; grandchildren, Madison Rae, Aaron, Austin, Asa, Ashley, Alden, Elisha, Christopher, Jay, David, Chase and Tony; four step grandchildren; four great grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM Friday, March 31, 2017 at the Gaylord Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 283 W. McCoy Road.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com