Rita Mary (Venia) Jarrait

Rita Mary Jarrait

June 14, 1941 – January 15, 2025

Rita Mary Jarrait, age 83, a lifelong resident of Monroe, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at 10:55 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2025, in her home.

Born June 14, 1941, in Monroe, she is the daughter of the late Godfrey “Jim” and Leota (Keeler) Venia. Rita was a lifelong member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church where she was baptized and confirmed; she was also a longtime member of the Altar Society. She attended St. Michael Elementary School and graduated from St. Mary Academy with the class of 1959. Rita married her beloved husband of sixty-two years, Gregory “Greg” Jarrait, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church on May 4, 1963. In addition to being a homemaker, Rita worked for Monroe Public Schools as a Teacher’s Aide for eleven years, retiring in 2001. After retirement, she and Greg cherished their time spent traveling the contiguous United States. She volunteered her time at St. Michael Church preparing funeral lunches and cleaning the church. Rita was a woman of faith and focus who paid close attention to her relationship with God. Whether it was her perfectly wrapped Christmas gifts or caring for her husband Greg, she put extra care in everything she did.  Rita’s true happy place was her lake home on Sand Lake. She occupied her time at the lake, working large puzzles. Rita also enjoyed gardening, working in her flower gardens, and watching the Detroit sports teams. Most of all, she cherished time spent with her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Rita will be remembered as a selfless, caring, loving, and giving person who found good in everyone. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

To cherish her memory, Rita leaves her husband, Greg Jarrait of Monroe; four children: Christopher (Patti) Jarrait, Ross (Marcie) Jarrait, Mark (Sue) Jarrait, and Leigh Ann Parrack, all of Monroe; one sister, Ann Duffy of Bedford; one sister-in-law, Sally Venia of Monroe; eight grandchildren: Jessica, Trevor, Samantha, Hayley, Collin, Alec, Aleigha, and Liliana; and four great-grandchildren: Finnegan, Ailbe, Brigid, and Wyatt.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded by one brother, Richard Venia, and her best friend, Pat Johnson.

Family and friends may visit from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Rupp Funeral Home, 2345 S. Custer Road, Monroe, MI 48161, where the Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Rita will lie in state at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Monroe. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. by Rev. Fr. David Burgard, assisted by Deacon Mike Stewart. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Monroe.

Memorial contributions in Rita’s memory are suggested to Rogel Cancer Center at Michigan Medicine Hospital (https://www.rogelcancercenter.org/giving).

Online condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com.