Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rita I. Garvey

May 13, 1921 - Sept. 11, 2001

South Bend Tribune 9/14/2001

Rita Iris Garvey, 80, formerly of Mountain Maple Court and North Adams Street, South Bend, Ind., died Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, in the Saint Joseph Home Care Center. Rita was born on May 13, 1921, in West Warwick, R.I., to Emilien and Blanche (LeBrun) Archambault.

On Oct. 21, 1946, in West Warwick, she married Robert Louis Garvey, who survives. She is also survived by two daughters, Gail Eileen Garvey of Minneapolis, Minn., and Kathleen Anne Garvey of Kearney, Mo.; four sons, Edward George Garvey of Santa Rosa, Calif., Robert Louis Garvey Jr. of Richmond, Calif., Peter Michael Garvey of South Bend, Ind., and Patrick Timothy Garvey of St. Paul, Minn.; a sister, Terese Ottaviano of West Warwick; and by 11 grandchildren, Ellen K. Schott, Elizabeth A. as a registered nurse at St. Joseph Hospital and at the Notre Dame Student Health Center. She Wittling, Charles W. Schott, Lewis G. Istok, Timothy A. Garvey, Robert W. "Will" Garvey, Audra Garvey, Harper L. Garvey, Tess A. Garvey, Rita H. Erickson and Nels A. Erickson. She had been employed served in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant JG during World War II.

Rita was an avid reader, volunteer and seamstress. She was a member of the Christ Child Society, St. Joseph Medical Center Auxiliary, Northern Indiana Historical Society, Holy Cross Parish Rosary Altar Society, Morris Civic Auditorium and Holy Cross Parish. She enjoyed conversations and learning. Rita loved her family and cherished her friends. She was equally loved and cherished by all who knew her. Rita was a wonderful cook and nourished her family with her meals, her love, her faith, and her quiet and strong example.

Memorial Mass for Rita will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, in Holy Cross Catholic Church, Wilber and Vassar streets, South Bend. A reception will follow at the Holy Cross school auditorium. She bequeathed her body to the Indiana University Medical Center. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Church.