Rita Jay (Loomis) Holtslander, 73

June 19, 2016

Rita Jay (Loomis) Holtslander, 73, died June 19, 2016 at Luther Acres Retirement Home, Lititz, PA surrounded by loved ones. She was born on September 27, 1942 in Norfolk, VA the fourth of five children to Rita Berkley (Hines) Loomis and Tom Charles Loomis. On July 4, 1964 she married Craig Hall Holtslander in East Lansing, MI. They were within days of celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Michael Halleck Loomis (Fay-deceased). She is survived by her husband, her two children, Margaret Katherine Phillips and husband Dr. Jason of Lititz, PA and CAPT Craig Alan Holtslander, USN and wife Megan of Fairfax, VA, and her three grandchildren, Thomas Alan Holtslander, Alana Kathleen Phillips and Meryn Evans Holtslander, along with her brother Richard Loomis (Patricia) of Sierra Vista, AZ, sister Margaret Hodge (James) of Agoura Hills, CA, brother Tom C. Loomis (Andrea) of Grayling, MI and many nieces and nephews.
Rita earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Education from Michigan State University and spent over 20 years as a Special Education Teacher and Speech and Hearing Therapist, the majority with Sidney City Schools in Sidney, OH. She was a gifted educator and loved her students. She was a proud member of Alpha Delta Kappa (International Honorary Women Educators) and a lifetime member of the Women of the Moose. Long before there were “Soccer Moms” Rita was a dedicated “Swim Mom,” logging countless hours and miles in support of her children. In later years, as a resident of St. John’s Herr Estate, she mastered Wii bowling, scoring many 300 games, cheered on her many favorite sports teams – with a sweatshirt for each – and played cards several times each week. She was a loyal friend and sister, proud grandmother, and cherished frequent phone conversations with loved ones. Rita was a devout Catholic and her faith sustained her.
A private Memorial Mass will be held immediately. A Celebration of her Life and Burial will both be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in her name to: St. John’s Herr Estate, 200 Luther Lane, Columbia, PA 17512 or Luther Acres Healthcare Center, 400 St. Luke Drive, Lititz, PA 17543 and/or National Shrine of St. John Newman, 1019 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
The family would like to thank the staff at Hospice and Community Care, Luther Acres, Lancaster General Hospital and St John’s Herr Estates for their loving care of Rita.