MICHAUD, Laureta "Rita" Menerey, 80, was born June 3, 1922 in Lincoln, Michigan and passed away Dec. 3, 2002 at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. surrounded by loving family. Laureta was the eldest child of four girls and four boys born to Charles D. and Louise Douville Menerey. She attended and graduated from Oscoda High School in Oscoda, Mich. before joining the Navy as a WAVE in 1943. She then served as a Yeoman both in Norman, Okla. and in Washington, D.C. While in the Navy, Laureta met her future husband, a submarine sailor, John H. Michaud, and they were married on Jan. 25, 1946 in Chicago, Ill.They were married for 56 years and had seven children, Laurie Michaud, CoraLee Michaud Nichols, Nancy Michaud Hacker, John H. Michaud III, Diane Michaud Bennett, Robert Michaud, and Kenneth Michaud. In addition to providing a happy home for her family wherever her husband was stationed, Rita also was actively involved in local community service. She was devoted to special needs children at Vanguard School while being employed part time in the real estate business when they lived in Phila, Pa. A talented artist in her own right, she taught the art of ceramics in Puerto Rico and had herown ceramics shop "Down East Ceramics" in Machias, Maine for a number of years. She and her husband traveled throughout the United States and parts of Canada before retiring to Arizona and Florida in lateryears. She was active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Sub Vets Association being a member of the Cactus Wren Chapter in Tucson, Ariz. Laureta was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Michaud; and her parents, Louise Douville Menerey and Charles D. Menerey. She will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren, J. Scott Hacker, Jessica Nichols, Sarah Michaud, Pollye Michaud Weatherby, Ashley Bennett,John H. Michaud IV, Jonathon Michaud and Jakob Michaud; sisters and brothers; Charles Menerey and wife, Marian Menerey Christofferson, Richard Menerey, William Menerey and wife,Virginia Menerey Boyd and husband, James Menerey and wife, and Carol Menerey Reagan; as well as nieces, nephews and in-laws. The family will receive friends Sunday, Dec. 8 between 2 - 4 p.m. at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home, 2201 9th St. North, St. Petersburg, Fla. A funeral Mass will be held Monday, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Pauls Catholic Church, 1800 12th. St. North, St. Petersburg, Fla. with graveside services to follow at 2 p.m. where she will be laid to rest with her husband at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. Online guest book is at http://www.andersonmcqueen.com.