Memorial
Rita (Renee) Travis Reilly, 98, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, May 17, 2026. Funeral Mass: Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church by the Rev. Nick March. Inurnment: Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon. A visitation will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 4-6 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, and one hour prior to the Funeral Mass.
Renee is survived by her sisters, Margie O’Connell and Mary Carole Goodell as well as many nieces, nephews and their children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cyril A. Reilly, her parents, Oren W. and Anne Harrington Travis, brother, Bill Travis, sister-in-law, Marge Lillis Travis, brothers-in-law, Mike O’Connell and Ken Goodell.
Renee was born August 9, 1927, in Mount Vernon, Iowa. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School (1945) and entered the Sisters of Mercy in Cedar Rapids in 1947. She received her B.A. from Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and an M.A. in art, and an M.F.A. in painting from the University of Notre Dame.
She taught in elementary schools of the Archdiocese of Dubuque in Charles City, DeWitt, Cedar Rapids (Immaculate Conception), Oelwein, Marion, and Fairfax. From 1963-1974 she taught art at Mount Mercy College and served as Dean of Students at Mount Mercy from 1964-1967.
In 1974 Renee returned to the lay state and married Cyril A. (Cy) Reilly on February 8, 1975, at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. From 1975-94 Renee was the Director of Springlife Studios in Minneapolis where she painted and taught painting to adults. She also helped market her husband’s photos for use by publishers. During this time Cy and Renee collaborated on photo giftbooks. Four of these were the result of their keen interest and their many travels in Ireland. She and Cy returned to Cedar Rapids in 1994.
In November 2011, Renee moved to the Meth-Wick Community. Renee loved painting, teaching, and reading poetry. She especially loved her family and friends and many students she was privileged to work with over the years.
The family would like to thank the residents and staff for the friendship and loving care she received while at Meth-Wick.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Jude Catholic Church, Catherine McAuley Center or Meth-Wick Community.