This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: WHEELER, CASSIDY, GOLDEN, JEFFERSON, KING, PONDER, OTTENBACHER Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hFB.2ACE/1765 Message Board Post: WHEELER, Helen Rita Cassidy East Lansing Helen Rita Cassidy Wheeler entered eternal life July 29, 2006 at Burcham Hills Retirement center, surrounded by her children, their spouses, and her granddaughter. She was born in Pawtucket, R.I. in 1915 to William Patrick and Katherine (Golden) Cassidy. She grew up in Cambridge, MA; graduated high school at age 16 and earned her bachelor's degree at Bridgewater State Teaching College in 1935. She taught briefly before entering her career as a Librarian at Cambridge Public Library. While on vacation in Cape Ann, MA in 1937, she met her future husband, Charles Wheeler. Rita was a reference Librarian at Michigan State University from 1961-1980. She also was a Librarian at East Lansing Public Library from 1959-1990. Since 1949, Rita was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. She was a devoted friend of Lois W. and mentored friends of all ages. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles J. Wheeler (1988); sister, Mildred Cassidy Jefferson; and two children, Richard R. an! d Helen; She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Wheeler King of Detroit, MI; sons, Charles H. of East Lansing and Naples, FL, Robert J. (Sallee) of Naples, FL, Donald J. (Joanne M.) of Alexandria, VA, and John A. of Lansing; granddaughters, Nicole D. Wheeler of Troy, MI, and Michelle M. Wheeler of Richmond, MI; great-grandchildren, Danielle J. Ponder, Nicholas G. Ottenbacher, and Joseph R. Ottenbacher, all of Richmond, MI; and numerous friends and caregivers at Burcham Hills. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday August 1, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 955 Alton Rd. in East Lansing. The Rite of Committal will be held in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. The Rosary will be prayed on Monday at 7 p.m. Those desiring may make contributions to Salvation Army, 525 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing MI 48912, to the East Lansing Public ! Library, 950 Abbott Road, East Lansing MI 48823 or to St. Thomas Aquin as General Fund, in memory of Rita. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 7/31/2006. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection)