Rita T. Durkin

Middleton-Rita T. Durkin, of Middleton, WI, passed away on Friday, November 5 at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare in Fitchburg, WI, following a life filled with blessings and great family and friends. She was born in Waukegan, Illinois, on July 17, 1931, the daughter of William and Theresa Hendrix. She married Philip M. Durkin on St. Patrick's Day in 1949, and they shared much love but too few years prior to his death in 1959. They were blessed with four children: Jamie, William, Mary Rita and Therese, and Rita dedicated her life to raising and caring for their four children. With her amazing strength and generous spirit, she taught hem how to face the challenges of life while enjoying life's riches. She also found fun and accomplishment in her work until her retirement in 1988. Rita and her family re-located to the Madison area where she enjoyed the remaining years of her life, and especially her grandchild, Glenn Schwantes. Time with her family, trips to the shores of Lake Michigan where she spent some of the most peaceful and joyful moments of her life, exploring the beauty of nature wherever it can be found, and cheering on the Chicago Bears were some of the things Rita enjoyed the most. The family is grateful to all of the caring people at the UW Hospitals & Clinics, Carbone Cancer Research Center, Capitol Lakes Rehabilitation Center and Hospice Center for their help and kindness.

A private service will be conducted by a dear family friend, Father John Carolan, on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville, Illinois.