Obituary for Rita Rose Basler
Rita Rose (nee Martens) Basler, 90, of Willoughby, passed away Jan. 9, 2021.
Rita loved life and embraced it fully. Her family and friends were her foundation and priority. She impacted people’s lives and stayed close to them throughout the years.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Thomas H. Basler; and parents, Carl and Rose Martens.
Rita is survived by her devoted brother, Dan (Mary) Martens; sons, Craig (Nancy), Steve (Mary) and Matt (Anna); and cherished grandchildren, Christopher (Polly), Thomas (Kacie), Alyssa (Jordon), Luke, Dia and Zara; great-grandchildren, Addelyn, Camden and Brayden; nieces and nephews, Kathy, Mike (Tina), and John (Michelle) Martens, Bonnie Chavez, and Jimmy Hough; and lifelong friend, Margaret Olds.
Rita was a graduate of Collinwood HS and Fenn College, where she worked in the registrar’s office. She taught second grade and nursery school and was part of the family at Vadakin Refrigeration for 17 years. The family took many camping trips and later Rita and Tom became curious and ambitious world travelers. She was the unofficial family historian due to her prodigious memory. Rita loved to bake and entertain. She had a love of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Playhouse and could always be counted on for a good book recommendation.
She was a member of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ. Rita and Tom believed that their faith called them to work for social justice, equality and tolerance and to be good stewards of all of God’s creation. She was active in her community and her church, volunteering for numerous causes.
Later in life, Rita and Tom lived at Grace Woods of Breckinridge, where they had many friends. She received loving care during her time at Ohio Living’s Fairmont Health Center.
There will be no service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pilgrim Church Food Pantry and Community Garden, 2592 W. 14th St., Cleveland, OH 44113, where Rita and Tom volunteered.
The family requests you share a memory of Rita at www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.
Rita loved life and embraced it fully. Her family and friends were her foundation and priority. She impacted people’s lives and stayed close to them throughout the years.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Thomas H. Basler; and parents, Carl and Rose Martens.
Rita is survived by her devoted brother, Dan (Mary) Martens; sons, Craig (Nancy), Steve (Mary) and Matt (Anna); and cherished grandchildren, Christopher (Polly), Thomas (Kacie), Alyssa (Jordon), Luke, Dia and Zara; great-grandchildren, Addelyn, Camden and Brayden; nieces and nephews, Kathy, Mike (Tina), and John (Michelle) Martens, Bonnie Chavez, and Jimmy Hough; and lifelong friend, Margaret Olds.
Rita was a graduate of Collinwood HS and Fenn College, where she worked in the registrar’s office. She taught second grade and nursery school and was part of the family at Vadakin Refrigeration for 17 years. The family took many camping trips and later Rita and Tom became curious and ambitious world travelers. She was the unofficial family historian due to her prodigious memory. Rita loved to bake and entertain. She had a love of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Playhouse and could always be counted on for a good book recommendation.
She was a member of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ. Rita and Tom believed that their faith called them to work for social justice, equality and tolerance and to be good stewards of all of God’s creation. She was active in her community and her church, volunteering for numerous causes.
Later in life, Rita and Tom lived at Grace Woods of Breckinridge, where they had many friends. She received loving care during her time at Ohio Living’s Fairmont Health Center.
There will be no service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pilgrim Church Food Pantry and Community Garden, 2592 W. 14th St., Cleveland, OH 44113, where Rita and Tom volunteered.
The family requests you share a memory of Rita at www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.