Lois Hitch ¹

Lois McRae
January 13, 2014
Lois McRae, 84, died peacefully at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, January 8, 2014, at Relais Bonne Eau Hospice surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She was born on July 5, 1929 in Hartford, the daughter of the late Goldie and Charles Hitch in Hartford. On November 29, 1947, she married her husband, Dale and they spent 65 years together before his passing in May of last year. Lois dedicated her entire life to raising seven children who had the privilege of calling her Mom. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her family and devoted a great deal of time to caring for (and spoiling) her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Time with Grandma included ice cream, iced tea and popcorn, card games, painting or playing video games. Lois loved animals and hated shoes and could often be found gardening in her bare feet. Lois will be dearly missed by those who survive her including her seven children, Steve and Holly McRae, Dan and Susan McRae, Kevin and Stacy McRae, Terri Downs, Tom and Patti McRae, Barb and Steve Bryant and Jeff and Tina McRae; 20 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Pauline Stone, Nira Ray, Billie Masiero, Sharon McGuire and her husband, Neil; her brother, Ron Hitch and his wife, Barb, her brother-in-law, David Duguid and his wife, Sharon; her sisters-in-law, Shelby Hitch, Alice Chamness and husband, David, and Henrietta Dorsey and her husband, Bill; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant daughter, Lori Ann McRae; a granddaughter, Danna Marie McRae; a grandson, Thomas Daniel Rice; brother, James Hitch; brothers-in-law, Jerry and Wally McRae; and a sister-in-law, Lorraine Shetley. Beyond her talents as a mother, grandmother and friend, Lois had a beautiful singing voice, was a talented artist, cook and gardener. Lois enjoyed her large family get-togethers, and those who mourn her passing look forward to seeing her in heaven where she will organize one of her infamous gatherings where everyone is welcome, made to feel special and no one is a stranger. Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto handled the arrangements.
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Lois married Dale McRae on 29 Nov 1947. (Dale McRae was born on 05 Sep 1928, died on 02 May 2013 and was buried about 05 May 2013 in Roselawn Cemetery, Bethalto, Madison Co., IL.)