Rita Marie Howard

Rita Marie Howard. Loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend went home to be with the Lord and Savior October 15, 2016 at the age of 83. Rita was born in Gordon, NE to Frank and Gertrude Hoyt on June 18, 1933. She adored her family and loved spending time with them. Rita was the youngest of five children. She grew up in Harrison, NE. Married John Carroll Howard on June 25, 1953 and settled in NM after John was discharged from the Air Force. Rita is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Gertrude, her husband John, her brothers Kenny and Lynn, her sisters Evelyn and Gladys, her daughter Diane and grand daughter Adrianna.

Rita is survived by seven children; Debbie, Denise and husband Mark, John and wife Misty, Kelly and wife Michelle, Steve and wife Judy, Scott and wife Natalie, Marci and husband Mark. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren; Rita and husband Dave, Johnny, Gracie, Max, Theo, Kellie Marie and husband Justin, Rachael, Nick, Steven, Bryan, Joe, Rick, Stephen Scott, Jessica, Erin Rose, Jack, Sydney and husband Andy, Lila and Cole. Great grandchildren; Halo, Page, Ruby, Cody, Zachary, Savannah,  and Paul. She will be remembered by all as “grandma”.

Rita will also be dearly missed by her long time neighbors, Pat, Miss Julie and their boys; Patrick, Mario and Angelo. More than neighbors, they have been family.

Rita’s greatest joy was caring for children. She touched the lives of all who entered her home. Each was greeted by a smile and sometimes a pinch. She loved having a house full of people, especially when watching the Dolphins and the Fighting Irish play football. We remember her pacing the floor if the game was close and leaving the room when she just could not stand the suspense.

Grandma was an animal lover and there was not a stray in her neighborhood she did not feed and foster. This held true for any pets brought home by the kids; prairie dog, ducks, and birds. She had her own ever growing and changing menagerie. Nurturing was her nature.

A Rosary will be recited Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 12:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will follow. The celebration will be at Queen of Heaven Church, 5311 Phoenix Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM. A reception is planned immediately after.

Special thanks to her hospice nurse Ashley and caretaker Lorena for your thoughtfulness and kindness. You both warmed her heart and brought her happiness in her final weeks.

“…Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.”

Kahlil Gibran

Dance, Grandma, dance!