Rita M. (Mueller) Dunkin, 79,

    Rita M. (Mueller) Dunkin, 79, of Milford, died Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Countryside Health Care in Milford, MA after a battle with Alzheimer's Disease.            

    Rita’s notable career in journalism included positions in Iowa with WOC TV, with The Daily Times, The Morning Democrat, The Des Moines Register, and The Telegraph-Herald newspapers, and with The Vieux Carre Courier newspaper in the French Quarter, New Orleans, LA.  Rita received an Inland Daily Press Association Award, and was twice the recipient of the prestigious Penney-Missouri Journalism Award.  Rita’s career in publishing included positions with Kendall/Hunt and the Wm. C. Brown Company Publishers, Dubuque, IA.             

    Rita was appointed to the Iowa Governor's Blue Ribbon Committee on Developmental Disabilities, was named an Outstanding Woman of Dubuque, and served as a Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Economic Development.  Rita had also served as the Executive Director of the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce on Cape Cod, MA.  After retirement, Rita volunteered numerous hours in the emergency rooms at Milford Regional Medical Center in Milford, MA, and at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, MA.                

     Rita was born April 28, 1939 in Davenport, IA.  She is survived by her son-in-law Stephen Sundelin grandson Mitchell Rylander and granddaughter Kristen Sundelin of Cotuit, MA and by her ex-husband, Larry Dunkin of Grafton, MA.  Also surviving are her sister Marilynn Lupton, her brother John Mueller, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Rita was predeceased by her parents Arthur J. and Stella (Manion) Mueller of Davenport, IA, her brother Loyle Mueller of Iowa City, IA, and by her beloved daughter Brett M. (Dunkin) Rylander Sundelin of Cotuit, MA. 

     Final arrangements remain private. 

    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Rita M. Dunkin to Countryside Health Care, 1 Countryside Drive, Milford, MA 01757.

Guest Book

To Rita's family and friends, please accept my heartfelt condolences on your loss. It's so hard to lose someone we love, but the seeming finality of death is what makes it especially difficult. Job 14:14,15 gives us confidence that Jehovah God yearns to bring back to life the dead who are preserved in his memory. The Bible gives us a wonderful hope of living in a paradise on earth and seeing the resurrection of our dead loved ones. (Luke 23:43; John 5:28,29) May this bring you some comfort and strength, remembering that soon God will wipe away our tears and swallow up death forever. (Isaiah 25:8)
RP

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Rita was a remarkable Aunt. She was more like a sister than an Aunt. She had the most wonderful sense of humor.Saw the best side of life! We will miss her greatly. Thank you Larry for your unfailing love of her. Mitchell-we are so sorry for your loss.
Mary and Sick Cain

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I was sorry to hear of Rita's passing. When Rita and Larry lived in Newton, Iowa they would spend Easter weekends with my mother and I. Rita shared with us that she was working with senior citizens at a nursing home as the social activities director. I thought what a perfect job for Rita. She was such a kind person and liked to do for others. Thanks to Larry for doing so much for Rita in her last years. I hope Larry will come and visit me in Iowa some time.
John Kessler Loyle's Brother-In-Law

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Rita was selfless. She was a wonderful friend to a sister-in-law. She came to help me when Loyle was dying. She, also, helped me taking care of my grandchildren. My sympathy to Mitchell. You know how selfless she was when Grandma Rita came to help as your mother was dying. You all have my sympathy as you go through another death. My sympathy to Larry who was always there for Rita and made her life easier from the day he met her to the day she died. Larry saw Rita through the big and little problems of life. He was selfless in the way he helped her. I am so grateful to have all of you in my family.
Mary R. Mueller (Mrs. Loyle Mueller)

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We were so sorry to hear of Rita’s passing. As a young kid in school I recall how funny she was when she came to Michigan for her summer vacation visit. She always had time for a game of Monopoly with me. She also thoroughly enjoyed sailing on Lake Michigan on our dads sailboat and was very surprised to learn how deep the lake was. My wife Cathy and I know that she will be sorely missed by many in the Hyannis area. She brought smiles to many and was a friend to many others.
Bob and Cathy Lupton

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