Marguerite Lafayette

LaFayette, Marguerite (Rita) Caldwell at 95 yrs. Passed on to eternal life, following her beloved husband Johnny, March 31st in The Villages, FL. Rita was born to Fayne and Margot Caldwell, Fayne Aide de Camp to General Pershing in WWI and Margot his French war bride of Paris. Rita grew up bi-lingual and was always proud of her French and American heritage. She earned a full scholarship to Northwestern University, but chose instead to marry her Steinmetz High School sweetheart. They celebrated 71 years together before his death in 2013. Surviving are daughters Suzanne (Dick) Zimmerman, of The Villages, FL and Kim (Richard) Reynolds, of Dallas, TX, 6 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. A natural beauty and wit, Rita was a talented writer, artist, decorator and seamstress who devoted these talents to her family, friends and home. She continued her dancing in several forms for many decades with husband John and passed a love of performing arts to her daughters. Her keen support was instrumental to her husband’s and daughters’ professional and personal successes. She was a devout Christian and a long-time member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, later of Christ Church of Oak Brook, then of New Covenant UMC in The Villages. Rita generously supported children’s homes and disaster rescue as well as conservative education, causes and patriots. Visitation will be Friday April 17th 5:00 until 7:30 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, IL. Funeral Service Saturday, April 18th , 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Eden Memorial Park Cemetery, Schiller Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to PSC Partners, research foundation for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis online at PSCPartners.org/waystodonate or by mail, PSC Partners Seeking a Cure, 5237 S. Kenton Way, Englewood, CO 80111. For info 708-456-8300 or www.cumberlandchapels.com.