Clare-Ingham County MI Archives Obituaries.....Creguer, Rita Jean Charron (Creguer) July 26, 2015
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jo Preston-Alex jolprestonalex@comcast.net August 16, 2015, 11:23 pm

Death Certificate
OBITUARY FOR RITA JEAN CHARRON (CREGUER)
Rita Jean Charron (Creguer) passed away peacefully in her sleep, at Hillcrest 
Nursing Center in Round Lake IL, on Sunday, July 26, 2015.  Rita was 91 years 
old.

Rita was born November 12, 1923 to Peter and Celina (Cyr) Creguer in Elkton 
MI.  During her childhood, Rita moved to Clare Michigan, where she graduated 
from Clare High School with the Class of 1941.  Driven with the desire for 
higher education, Rita started college at Central Michigan University in 1941.  
She was only a few months in school, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.  
As with many during those trying times. Rita was determined to help the war 
effort.  Upon completion of her first year of college, Rita moved to Detroit 
where she proudly found work in a defense factory making airplane motors.  
Joining the forces of many women Rita became a “Rosie the Riveter” and proudly 
supported and participated in the war effort until 1943.  Having saved enough 
money, Rita returned to college, first at Wayne State University, then at 
Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI where she graduated with a BA in 
Social Work with the Class of 1946.   Rita Creguer married a veteran returning 
from war, Kermit Charron, where they raised a family of five children.   
Rita’s oldest son, Thomas Charron was born in 1951 with Development 
Disabilities.  Rita was compelled to make a difference in the lives of persons 
with these Disabilities.  When Rita became aware of Tom’s limitations, and 
further, she was horrified upon learning of the living conditions for children 
and adults with Development Disabilities.  Rita began her crusade to change 
these conditions, by working as a social worker for MARC.  Rita social work 
began first at the State level and ultimately at the National Level with 
NARC.   Rita commenced with a career that would result in changing the laws, 
and lives of thousands of persons with Development Disabilities.  From 1960 
through 1988, Rita’s career continuously progressed, as she became a specialist 
in the field of Developmental Disability.  In 1975 after completion of her 
Masters of Social Work at University of Michigan, until moving in 1988, Rita 
was “Director of Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled for the 
Tri County Community Mental Health Board, for the Counties of Ingham, Clinton 
and Eaton”.  Her role as Director, along with the positions she held at the 
State-MARC and National-NARC allowed Rita to direct the creation of work 
programs; to design and create residential options through community group 
homes; elimination of institutions and secure State and National funding for 
these programs.  Rita’s propensity to develop programs and raise money to 
improve the living conditions for Developmental Disabled gained her recognition 
internationally as well.  Her role as a member of the International Committee 
of ARC resulted in her delivery of program development in Asia, Kenya, Brazil, 
Singapore as well as other countries.  In 1988, instead of choosing retirement, 
Rita moved to Phoenix then Tucson, where she accepted a position with Governor 
Rose Monford as the “Director of the Office of Developmental Disabilities”.  
She worked in this capacity until 1991, when she officially entered 
retirement.  Following her retirement from the State of Arizona, Rita lived in 
Tucson for several more years.  Rita moved back to Michigan to be closer to 
family and friends.   In 2007, Rita moved to Ingleside IL to live her twilight 
years with her daughter Jo Lynn Alex and Jo’s family until her death.
In addition to her extensive and notable work history, Rita also had a passion 
for travel.  Whether for work or for personal, international travel was an 
essential part of her life.  Rita had many trips to Europe, Holland, Denmark, 
Sweden, as well as Mexico and all throughout the United States.   In 1981, when 
US citizens were just beginning to be back into China, Rita proudly spent a 
month in Hong Kong.  Her travels included Nairobi, Kenya, Rio de Janeiro, 
Buenos Aires Argentina and Singapore, Bangkok and Barcelona.  As she traveled 
less, she her spent her retirement years with her bridge friends, gourmet 
cooking and as an avid reader. 

Rita leaves behind her brother Thomas Creguer of Clare, and her daughters 
Christina Riddle of Traverse City; Jo Preston-Alex (Bill Alex) of Ingleside IL; 
Patty Polhemus (John Polhemus) of Clinton MD, and her sons Thomas Charron of 
Rochester MI and David Charron.  Rita has 6 grandchildren and 10 great 
grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.  Rita was proceeded in death 
by sisters Lucille Kowatch of Diamondale; Marguerite Marrone of DE and Roberta 
Watkins of Rancho Palos Verdes CA, and her brother Paul Creguer of Ossineke MI.

Additional Comments:
A graveside committal burial service are on Friday August 21, 2015 at 2:00pm at 
St. Cecilia Catholic Cemetery.  Family and Friends are encouraged to meet prior 
to the burial at the Days Inn of Clare at 10318 S. Clare Ave, Clare MI from 
10:30 to 2:00.  


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