Rita Anna Light

BRISTOL- Rita Anna Light, 71, of Bristol, passed away Thursday December 16, 2021, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana from injuries she suffered in an automobile accident.  She was born July 25, 1950, in Maniago, Italy to Franco and Italia (Centazzo) Corrado.

     She married Richard Light who survives.  Also surviving is a son, Derek G. (Joni R.) Light; 2 grandchildren Drake and Gabby Light all of Elkhart; a brother, John (Jane) Corrado of Prescott, AZ and 2 nephews, Joe Corrado of Prescott, AZ and Jim Corrado of Grand Rapids, MI.  she was preceded in death by her parents.

     Rita was currently employed as a Guidance Counselor at Pierre Moran Middle School in Elkhart.  In 1971 she received a B.A. Degree in English and Journalism from IU Bloomington, in1972 she received a M.S. Degree in Secondary Education from IU Bloomington and in 1981 she received a M.S. Degree in Counseling from IU Bloomington.

     Rita spoke Italian, French, Russian, Spanish, and English.  She was a member of the Indiana Department of Education and Safe Schools leadership Consortium.  She also was a volunteer for the Elkhart Police Department, substation #7, taught critical incident stress/listening skills workshops to the Elkhart Police Department and was a volunteer for the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart.

     Rita received the President’s Award from the FOP Lodge #52 in 1996 and was one of 10 YWCA Women of Elkhart County in 1996.  She dearly loved animals and was Aunt Rita to any dog she met. Rita dearly loved her Australian Labradoodle “Ellie” who was also killed the automobile accident.

     Rita had a great sense of humor, which was very finely tuned and could talk to anyone she met and had an extensive vocabulary. 

     Rita loved to exercise and enjoyed taking “Ellie” on long walks.

     Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life gathering for Rita will be from 2:00 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m. with services starting at 2:15 p.m. at the Omega Event Center, 2130 Middlebury Street, Elkhart, IN  46516 on Saturday, April 2, 2022.  Presiding will be Chris Garner.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Elkhart County Humane Society. Walley Mills Zimmerman Funeral Home has been entrusted with her care. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rita Anna Light, please visit our floral store.