On Wednesday, January 18, 2017, Rita Marie Gorman (nee Shimala) of Mesa AZ, formerly of Whiting, wife, mother, “grammy”, daughter, sister, and aunt, passed away at the age of 60. Rita will be forever remembered by her husband of 34 years, John, and their daughter, Rachel (Stephen Avina); by her precious grandchildren, Quentin and Grace Gorman-Avina; and by her sister Cis (late John) Wishnew; and brothers Martin (Carmel) Sims, and Daniel (Brenda) Shimala. Rita will also be forever remembered by her nieces and nephews, Steven, David, Jeffrey and Jenna Wishnew, Misty and Marty Sims, Gayle and Richard Talabay, Stephanie (Casey) Kolloff-O’Neill, and sisters-in-law Bridget Gorman, Mary Jo Gorman, and Ann (Paul) Kolloff.  She will be greeted in Heaven by her beloved mother and father, Martha (nee Ambrose) and Frank Shimala; sister, Linda (Shimala) Talabay, and mother and father-in law, Mary and Joseph Gorman.

Rita had recently relocated to Mesa, Arizona, but was a lifelong resident of the Whiting-Robertsdale Community. She was a graduate of George Rogers Clark High School, Class of 1974. Rita enjoyed playing with her dogs, daily phone conversations with her daughter, sister and brothers, relaxing by the pool with her husband, and being with her beloved grandkids.

A Memorial Visitation with Family and Friends will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, February 9,  2017 from 3:00 to 8:00pm.  A Memorial Mass will be offered on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 10:00am at St. John Baptist Catholic Church, 119th St. and Lincoln Ave., Whiting IN. Memorials may be made to the Whiting “Gimme Shelter” for pets (c/o Marty Jakubowski, P.O. Box 591, Whiting, IN 46394), or the American Diabetes Association

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