Rita Howell

CRYSTAL LAKE—Rita Mae Howell (nee Olcott), 66, of Crystal Lake, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Pepper Family Hospice Home in Barrington.

She was born in Woodstock on June 7, 1945 to the late Katherine (nee Grady) Hay and Leo Olcott. She married the late Ronald C. Howell on May 12, 1962 and moved to Crystal Lake, where they raised their family.

Rita supported her family by being very active in the Central (Husmann) Elementary School PTO and library. She was a long-time volunteer of Continental Little League, where she was co-president during the 1970s, and chaperoned the Imperial Scots Marching Band.

Rita was a former member of the Ladies Fire Auxiliary during the 1970s and St. Thomas the Apostle Church, both of Crystal Lake, and loved to be outside in her garden or taking her daily walk.

Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she could be found at any of their activities or school functions.

After her husband’s death in 2009, she continued to run Howell’s Carpet Cleaning along with Howell’s Gifts and helped her daughters with Kaleidoscoops Ice Cream in Crystal Lake.

Survivors include her children, Cyndi Pitner, Scott, Todd (Marnie), and Michelle Howell, all of Crystal Lake; grandchildren, Jordan, Ryan, Ali, Colton, and Brandon; and stepsiblings, Colleen (Nate) and Gene.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Brandi Howell; brothers, Jim and Tom Olcott; and stepsister, Brenda Price.

The visitation will be Tuesday, February 21 from 3-8 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176), Crystal Lake and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 22 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Crystal Lake Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rita’s name may be made to Senior Services Associates, Inc., 110 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014, the Salvation Army, 200 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, IL 60014, or to the charity of one’s choice.

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