Rita Joyce Myer, 75, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
Funeral services were held on Feb. 19 at Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64131. Burial followed in Sheffield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Rita’s name to The American Heart Association, The Humane Society of America or The American Cancer Society.
Rita was born July 20, 1947, to William and Margaret (Taylor) Smith. She grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Center High School. Rita was always a good student and made good grades. She went on to study at UMKC for two years.
She was active in many Jewish Youth organizations, including the JCC Young Adults program. In fact, while on an outing with the JCC Young Adults, Rita met her future husband, Irving Arnold Myer, while they were both roller skating. They spent 36 wonderful years together before his passing in 2004. Rita later met Dan Braum and together they enjoyed getting into mischief and attending many events.
Rita was very musically inclined and liked to play the piano. She had season tickets to the Kansas City Symphony and regularly attended pop concerts around the city. Rita not only loved music and the Symphony, but she loved the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jayhawks. She was a major sports fan.
Rita was a very giving and selfless person and donated to a vast number of charities. The Humane Society had a special place in her heart as she was a huge animal lover. Growing up, she always had cats. When she couldn’t have cats anymore due to her children’s allergies, she got dogs and treated them just like family.
Rita was always there for not only her family and friends but for those she didn’t know as well. She had this special ability to connect with all people.
Rita was a devoted mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She would do anything for anyone, especially her family, sacrificing her own needs to make sure others had what they needed first.
Rita is preceded in death by her grandparents, Lazarus Smith and Sarah Denis, and Sophie and Sam Taylor; her parents, William and Margaret Smith; and her husband, Irving Arnold Myer.
She is survived by her daughter, Jessica Suzanne Whitaker (Aaron); son, Jason Scott Myer; grandchildren, Noah Myer Whitaker, Austin Chase Whitaker, Caleb Christian Whitaker; brother, Leonard Smith (Sharon); and her life partner, Dan Braum. She is also survived by her beloved dog, Sugar, and her granddogs, Alex and Maddie.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
