Rita Toland

Toland, Rita

With heavy hearts, we share that Rita Toland of Jackson, Michigan, passed away peacefully under the loving care of her family and the staff of Henry Ford Hospice on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at the age of 95 years.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Toland and son, Kenneth Toland.  Rita is survived by her 3 sons: Tim (Eilish), Mike (Denise), and Marty (Diane); 3 grand-daughters, Casey, Carrie, and Kelli; and lived long enough to enjoy her 3 great-grand-daughters, Winnie, Eleanor, and Chase.

Rita was born in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan and attended Loretto Academy. She met her husband, Bernard when her best friend Mary invited Rita on a double date. Bernard was Mary's brother and they hit it off right away. They were married in 1953.

The couple moved to Jackson in 1960 and raised 4 sons. Rita and her husband were both active in the community, with Rita serving as a den mother for boy scouts and cub scouts. Rita was also a passionate member of the Jackson Area Hockey Association and active in the Civic Art Association, even serving as President for a time. Rita belonged to St. John the Evangelist Parish for many years, attending mass each week and enjoying her circle of friends there.

Rita and Bernard imparted a love of the great lakes and the outdoors when they purchased a family cabin in Detour, Michigan. The entire family spent many happy summers on the beaches there and 4 generations of the Toland family have been able to enjoy this legacy.

Rita was not just a dedicated mother and a loving grandmother - though she was certainly those things. She was also more than an engaged aunt, a reliable friend, and a kind neighbor - though she was all of those things, too.

Rita was a lover of Northern Michigan, an etiquette enthusiast, her family's favorite source of turkey loaf, and a "cardboard cookie" provider for her grandchildren. She was a wonderful artist who constantly sought to improve her craft, and a dedicated Catholic, attending mass and receiving communion as long as she was able. She was her husband's favorite traveling partner, exploring places like Ireland and Asia once they'd achieved retirement, and bringing back exotic treasures for her grandchildren. She loved ice skating, painting, coloring with friends, and sitting on the porch of her cabin in Detour, watching the waves. Her family remembers her as a tough old bird who will be greatly missed.

Rita is at the Desnoyer Funeral Home where a Funeral Service will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM with Father Robert Pienta officiating. A private interment will be held at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, April 14 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM.