Rita M. Godin

Rita Marie Godin, 69, of Charlotte, a woman of devout Faith and enduring love for her family, died on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Rita was born February 8, 1952, in Granite City, IL, the daughter of William Edward and Norma Gail (Reis) Breidenbach. She earned a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and started her master’s degree at the University of Northern Colorado, where she met the love of her life, Donald Edward Godin. The two married on June 16, 1973, in Colorado, and started their family. Throughout the early years of their family life, they moved to several different states, before settling in Charlotte, MI in 1987. Shortly after, in 1993, Rita started substitute teaching throughout the area. Education and learning remained a life-time passion for Rita. Her interest in the connection between music and brain health led her to attend many conferences on brain-based learning. She was always interested in understanding how the human mind learned, and in seeking how sound and natural healing works to expand brain power, especially in children. She was a devoted and busy mother of 7 and served at both the local and state levels of the Parent Advisory Committee, an organization dedicated to children with special needs. Rita loved to dance. She was a member of the County Cloggers and enjoyed square dancing in her youth, and always pestering Don to get on the dance floor. She was also an avid sewer, creating many special treasures for her family and friends. Rita loved the local Charlotte Library and could often be found there. She contributed much to her St. Mary Parish family, including co-founding the Youth Group, and singing in the choir. Many will remember her calming presence as a Lector at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, and all her service to others in the church and beyond.
Rita is survived by her husband of 48 years, Donald Godin; their 7 children, Michelle (Karl) Hart, Paul (Stacie) Godin, David (Alison) Godin, Stephen Godin, Elisabeth (Andrew) Struve, Phillip Godin, and Jeannette (Robert) Holloway; 13 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Teresa (Don) Hanes and Catherine (Charles) Bachwirtz; brothers, Edward (Sylvia) Breidenbach and James (Carmen) Breidenbach; and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her infant daughter, Monica.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Rita’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 29, 2021, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Rita’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to the Charlotte Library or Area 8 Special Olympics. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.