Rita Morgan Keeler

RUTLAND CITY -- Rita Morgan Keeler, 97, of Rutland City, died peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 3, 2018, at Rutland Healthcare Genesis in Rutland.
Rita was born in New York City on June 8, 1921, the oldest child of Richard and Gertrude (Noll) Holbrook. At the 1939 World's Fair in Flushing, New York, Rita met Robert J. Morgan, of Rutland. They were married on Sept. 3, 1940, in New York City.
In January of 1941, Bob enlisted in the United States Army. During World War II, Bob was stationed in the Persian Gulf. While Bob was overseas, Rita moved to Rutland, where she remained the rest of her life. She made many new friends in Rutland playing bridge, working numerous jobs and staying active in her children's lives.
In the fall of 1957, while Rita's five children were enrolled in kindergarten through 11th grade in the Rutland City Schools system, she enrolled at Castleton University. Against all odds, she received her bachelor's degree from Castleton in 1961. She later received her Master's in Education from the College of St. Joseph.
Rita began her teaching career in the fall of 1961 at the two-room schoolhouse in East Wallingford. She continued to teach full time until her retirement from Christ the King School in 1990. Rita continued her teaching as a substitute and volunteer throughout Rutland County until she was 89 years old. Rita truly possessed the American spirit.
When she was not teaching, which was her first love, Rita, along with her husband, Martin, was an avid golfer until she was 90, and she also enjoyed bowling, spending time with her family and her many friends.
Wherever Rita was, she made friends, made fun, had fun and was interested in young people and their plans for the future. Rita felt that being with young people kept her young, and she certainly was a tribute to that philosophy. Rita had a great sense of humor, and she embraced her faith as a lifelong Catholic.
Surviving are her son, Glenn S. Morgan and daughter-in-law Betsy, and her daughter, Mary M. Stapleton and son-in-law Bill, all of Rutland. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.
She was predeceased by her sons Robert, James and Dana; grandson, Brett; husbands Robert J. Morgan and Martin E. Keeler; and her siblings Doris, Richard, Patricia, Wallace, Phyllis and Mary Jane.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, in St. Joseph's Cemetery on Stratton Road in Rutland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to Christ the King School Development Fund, 60 South Main St., Rutland, VT 05701.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Clifford Funeral Home.