RITA MASTER

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RITA MASTER

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother, Rita Master, our guiding light and beacon of strength.

Mum was born in 1932 in London, England, to Max and Minnie Raphael (née Rosenberg), following in the footsteps of the many Eastern Europeans who had fled their native homes in search of a better life for their families.

In her early years, with her older sister and the looming threat of war, she dedicated herself to her parents, helping at her father's market stall or at her mother's kosher café.

Like many children at the time, she and her sister were evacuated to the countryside, becoming known as "the evacuees". However, when her parents saw the conditions they were living in, they brought them back to London, where they endured the nightly Blitz's, often seeking shelter in the underground while the skies glowed above them.

Even though they were poor, her early memories of life gave her the courage and self determination to know the adversities that her family faced.

Mum met our father Charlie in Church Street Market. They were married in 1959 and lived above their shoe shop that they opened. With their strong determination and work ethic built a business where not just the locals came, but stars and royalty of the era came to buy. As their business expanded, so did their fashion sense, as they began importing footwear from Europe.

In the heady late 1960s, they moved to North London - a sign of prosperity after the struggles that had shaped both their lives - yet they maintained their roots for many decades to come.

In 1980 our father passed away and London was undergoing a metamorphosis. Mum grew concerned for her two children.

Bereft but strong, she embarked on a new chapter of her and our lives by moving to Winnipeg, where her only sister lived, leaving behind cousins and friends that she was so close to.

Arriving here in 1984 and never sitting idle, she opened La Grand Femme, fashions for the plus sized woman on Academy Road. In 1991 she expanded the company on the same street and launched Boutique La Femme. She travelled to shows all over North America in search of beautiful garments for her customers, many of whom became lifelong friends.

After selling the building on Academy, she spent ten years at Grant Park Shopping Centre, followed by three years in Tuxedo, before settling, eleven years ago, into her final shop - Masters of London on Roblin Boulevard.

Though our mother retired numerous times, her spirit of business kept her out of retirement.

Her greatest joy was her three grandchildren, even while still working, she lovingly prepared their favourite foods, taking enormous pride in every dish.

She loved to entertain family and friends, especially during the Jewish holidays, preparing all the traditional, mouthwatering meals entirely by hand and from scratch. How she managed it all while still working remains a mystery to us. She would simply say it wasn't her strength, but her determination..

Even though she was coming up to 93 her skin was smooth, without any wrinkles, her mind was sharp and she held court in the shop where her customers loved to converse with her.

Leaving to mourn this incredible void that will never be filled, daughter Michelle (David), son Ivan, grandchildren, Courtney (Andrew), Daniel (Angela) and Arielle (Daniel).

Mum was repatriated to London to be with our father.

Gone but never forgotten. We could never be who we are without the sacrifices that she made to make our world a brighter and better place.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 05, 2025