Rita May Leers, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away, surrounded by her adoring family, due to complications of Alzheimer's disease at the age of 86 on May 13, 2017. Rita was known for her good-humor, generosity and welcoming spirit which made her a favorite with all who knew her.

Born in Seattle on August 26, 1930 to John P. and Frances M. Fox (O'Hara), Rita was the oldest of five children with two younger sisters and two younger brothers. Her Irish-Catholic roots shaped her character and family life. She attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and Holy Rosary High School. She met and fell in love with James (Jim) Leers, a local Seattle boy who attended O'Dea High School and Seattle University.  Rita and Jim were married in El Paso, Texas on March 16, 1951 and were together for 26 years until Jim`s untimely death in January 1978. Hand in hand, they raised a beautiful family of nine children and enriched the lives of many others in their Mt. Baker neighborhood and church community.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Jim and her sisters, Sally Towey and Joanne Abdo. Rita is survived by brothers Jack Fox and Jerry Fox, along with her 9 children; Mike, Terry, Dan (Monica), Jim (Julie), Monica Fiorito (Randy), John (Kenda), Mary Lefebvre (Tim), Sheila Nilsen (Lars), Colleen Rosen (Darrek); 16 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 24th at 10am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Seattle to honor and celebrate Rita's life and legacy. A reception will follow in the social hall followed by a burial service at Holyrood Cemetery at 2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Employee Appreciation Fund at Homeplace at Burlington, 210 N. Skagit St., Burlington, Washington 98233.