Rita Marie Pilawski

Rita Marie Pilawski nee Reimann, 94, of Granger, IN, formerly of Northbrook, IL, ascended to heaven on Sunday, December 29th with her children by her side. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene Walter Pilawski; her parents, Sophie and Leo Reimann; brother, Richard Reimann; and sister-in-law Ginny Reimann.

Rita’s whole world was her family that includes her seven children and twelve grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews: Mary Beth (Kevin) Cannon, Patricia (Bernard Dickens Jr.) Pilawski, Bill (Lisa Manoogian) Pilawski, Ann Marie (Kevin) Schreiber, Gene (Teresa) Pilawski, Julie Gamber, and Michael (Heidi) Pilawski. Her grandchildren include, Michael (Sierra) Cannon, Molly Gamber, Jack Cannon, Megan Gamber, Patrick Pilawski, Daniel Pilawski, Jack Thomas Pilawski, Abigail Nush, Mary Gamber, Joe Pilawski, Ryan Pilawski, and Remi Pilawski.

Rita had a gentle soul and loved spending summers at Shawano Lake in Wisconsin. She had a knack for fishing, loved to pick strawberries and make homemade jam, and take her little dog, Buddy, for walks. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and never wanted to miss mass on Sundays. 

Being married to her husband, Gene, who was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, undergraduate and law school, she attended and watched the Fighting Irish football and basketball games and was a regular at the women’s basketball games in recent years. Rita had a zest for life that made nothing impossible, was always looking for ways to help others and was joyful when others were happy.

Visitation will be on Friday, January 3rd from 4 pm to 7 pm at the McGann Hay, Granger Chapel, 13260 State Road 23, Granger, IN, entrance off of Cherry Rd. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, January 4th at 10:30 am at St. Pius Catholic Church, 52553 N. Fir Road, Granger, IN 46530, with visitation beginning an hour prior. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eugene W. Pilawski memorial scholarship fund at the University of Notre Dame. Donations may be made by phone at 574-631-5150 or by mail to University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556; St. Pius X Catholic Church Granger, IN, www.stpius.net or Traditions Hospice of Mishawaka, IN, traditionshealth.com

The Mass will be live streamed at www.youtube.com/@stpiusgranger