M. Rapaich Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

M. Cecille Rapaich IRON MOUNTAIN - M. Cecille Rapaich, 81, of 511 East 6th St., Iron Mountain, died Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, at her home. Cecille was born Feb. 1, 1923, in Waterbury, Conn., daughter of the late Clinton and Marie (Cote') Fitch. She moved to Tennessee at an early age and attended high school at the Notre Dame Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn., graduating in 1940. After high school, she completed a two-year secretarial program. Cecille married Dan Rapaich on March 31, 1949, in Chattanooga, and since 1951 they resided in the Iron Mountain area. She worked as a secretary for Iron Mountain High School for more than 20 years, retiring in 1993. Cecille was a member of St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain and the Hospital League. She was also an active member of the Dickinson County Republican Party. She was a avid reader and hobbyist and maintained an active lifestyle, in relative good health, until her death. Cecille shared a love for the Green Bay Packers with her children and grandchildren and relished their company as all cheered enthusiastically for their beloved team on "Packer Sunday." Cecille's adoration for her grandchildren was evident in many ways. Her numerous expressions of love will live on through the personalized Christmas ornaments she crafted every year, in the clothing she sewed for her children and grandchildren, in the knit sweaters and hats she made which warmed them and in the care and creativity she displayed in baking sweets and treats for them. She will be greatly missed. Cecille is survived by one son, Mark Rapaich of Westfield, Iowa; four daughters, Diane Rapaich of Royal Oak, lower Michigan, Amy (Bruce) Moser of Madison, Wis., Dr. Ellen (Jeff) VanLaanen of Iron Mountain and Lisa (James) Carollo of Iron Mountain; two sisters, Elaine (Earl) Barrows of Waxahachie, Texas and Barbara Fitch of Chattanooga; 12 grandchildren, Allie and Bernadette Rapaich, Katrina and Ben Moser, Hannah, Colin, Russell, Seth, Grace, and Dominic VanLaanen, and Angela and Santino Carollo; several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Parish Prayers will be recited at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Dan Zaloga will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dan and Cecille Rapaich Family Scholarship Fund at Iron Mountain High School. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Cecille Rapaich online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.