- Brandon Sun Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
RITA BAXTER
Born: May 28, 1928
Date of Passing: Dec 13, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryRITA BAXTER (née FOURNIER) I am a part of all that I have met; Yet all experience is an arch wherethro' Gleams that untravell'd world whose margin fades For ever and forever when I move. How dull it is to pause, to make an end, To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use! As tho' to breathe were life! Life piled on life Were all too little, and of one to me Ulysses, Alfred Lord Tennyson Rita Therese Baxter (née Fournier), born on May 28, 1928 in St. Boniface and raised in Lac du Bonnet, MB, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2014 in Edmonton, AB. Rita's family history reflected the sweep of Canadian history and culture, migrating from France in the 17th century to settle in the Gaspésie region of Quebec, then moving west to Manitoba in the early 20th century. Rita's personal journey was one of grit, ambition and love. She would often admonish her children: "You need G and A guts and ambition to get anything done in this life." Challenged by respiratory health issues since childhood, she lived her own advice and set an example of determination and passion for life for all who knew and loved her. After graduating high school, she entered the St. Boniface Hospital School of Nursing, overcoming the doubts of the instructors who gave her little chance of succeeding with her precarious health. She proceeded to graduate near the top of her class, and went on to serve in the OR at Vancouver General Hospital during her long-distance courtship with Gordon Baxter. Rita and Gordon were married in Winnipeg in 1953 and raised a family of five children together. With her husband Gordon, she proudly kept their Charleswood home, and summer cottage on Lake Manitoba. At first life was a tumult of neighbourhood kids, hockey equipment, ballet practice, gardening and preserving vegetables, then a soft melody of sewing, gardening, crosswords and writing. After raising her young family in an environment of fun, intellectual curiosity and responsibility, she returned to serving in the healthcare community as a Director of the Youville Foundation, a pioneering elderly healthcare advocacy program serving the bilingual community of St. Boniface. In her retirement, she continued to give and love with her usual intensity. She was a captivating and beloved "Gram" to her 11 grandchildren scattered across North America, while volunteering in a local hospice care program and at the local elementary school her children had all attended. She also took the opportunity of her retirement to author her memoirs, titled "You Live There Once". Rita and Gord also enjoyed several winters in Texas with their many friends. Rita is predeceased by her husband Gordon; her parents Arthur and Alexandrine Fournier; her sisters Mal and May; and brothers George, Van, Mitch, Donald, and Rene. Rita is survived by her children Paul (Julie), Tannis (Ken), David (Lois), Teresa and Roger (Daphne); her grandchildren Nicole, Marcus, Laura, Emily, Ashleigh, Baxter, Lindsay, Courtney, Julia, Carrie and Esmé; her sister Berthe and her brothers Jim and Joe. She leaves many other relatives on both the Fournier and Baxter sides of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Lung Association. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18 at Chapel Lawn, 4000 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3K 1W3. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 17, 2014
Condolences & Memories (25 entries)
-
Rita and Gordon..... so many drives you provided to get me to and from Winnigeg when it was the only way I could get to see my family in Lac Du Bonnet..... so many great memories you have left me to cherish....... thank you, I will always remember. Your Dorset, Ontario Niece Janeen - Posted by: Janeen Byman (Niece from Dorset, Ontario) on: Jan 12, 2015
-
For the past few weeks, I have been waiting for the Christmas card that Rita always sends me every year. I've known her since the Summer of 1982. I was a student back then, and had the chance of working with her at Youville Foundation in Winnipeg, as a summer job. No Christmas card came this year. I sensed that something was wrong, and found out today, in the obituaries, that she recently passed away. My heart is still pounding as I am writing this note. She has always treated me like a son, which was the greatest compliment I could ever get from her, knowing how much she loved her children. Paul, Tannis, David, Roger and Therese, my heart goes out to you. My most sincere condolences! - Posted by: Real Lemay (Long time friend of Rita, from Quebec) on: Jan 07, 2015
-
I am so very sorry to hear the news about Rita's passing. I so loved working with her on her book, You Live There Once, and am disappointed that we had lost touch these past few years. Just today, I received an email from someone who would like to read Rita's book. If there are any copies still around, it would be a lovely tribute to keep sharing Rita's story with others. Sincere condolences to all those who knew her and loved her. - Posted by: Jenny Gates (friend) on: Jan 02, 2015
-
Remembering my fudge loving and gingerbread (molasses)cookie making Aunt. I will always remember her great smile and her loving kindness. As kids, yearly summer visits with Auntie Rita and Uncle Gordon were full of fun and "activities" like working in the garden, BBQs and going to church. She will be sadly missed. Sending our deepest sympathies to all the family and praying the Lord will comfort you. - Posted by: Ian (Ingrid) Stevenson (Nephew) on: Dec 21, 2014
-
There are not enough words that can express my sadness of my dear Auntie Rita's passing...so many memories, from the time I was a little kid on vacation in Lac Du Bonnet to the time I was a teenager, to the time Rita lived with us in Vancouver, to her marriage to Gordon...to all those beautiful children she raised...and when I skated with Ice Capades, I stayed with the Baxters, Paul was a wee bit of a kid, Tannis was such a pretty little girl, David was such a smart kid, Roger in a high chair,,, and there was Rita,, kissing each of her babies so much that they all had callouses on their cheeks..yes, I remember a woman who was the most amazing artist, she could draw as well as the best,,,she could tell stories so profoundly right off the top of her head.....yes, she was an amazing, loving, positive human being....I know that she will meet her brothers and sisters and be reconnected in love through Christ... Auntie Rita, I love you and I will miss you..and I thank you for teaching me so much about life..you are the best....love forever,,Dolena Stevenson Thompson..go in peace and love.... - Posted by: Dolena (Stevenson) Thompson (Aunt and Godmother) on: Dec 20, 2014
-
I fondly remember the kindness of Aunt Rita and Uncle Gordon years ago when I attended nurses training at St. Boniface Hospital. My deepest sympathies to the family. - Posted by: Louise Ylonen (nee Fournier) (Niece) on: Dec 20, 2014
-
I fondly remember the kindness of Aunt Rita and Uncle Gordon years ago when I attended nurses training at St. Boniface Hospital. My deepest sympathies to the family. - Posted by: Louise Ylonen (nee Fournier) (Niece) on: Dec 20, 2014
-
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time. - Posted by: Laurentine Fournier (Sister-in-law) on: Dec 20, 2014
-
Dear Tannis. The tribute to your mom is a poetic eulogy. Somehow I sense your writing skills there. May this time of reflection on the beautiful family life of your mom be a consolation as you discover countless gems of life and love. In prayer. Carmen. - Posted by: Carmen Catellier, snjm (friend of Tannis) on: Dec 19, 2014
-
I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, I hope you feel at peace and know you were there for her when she needed you the most. As you travel this sad road, may you feel the comfort of God expressed through caring friendships. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: Yvonne Casey (friend) on: Dec 18, 2014
-
Sincere sympathy on the loss of your Mother. She was a great lady. - Posted by: Brian Duncan "Dunc" (Friend) on: Dec 18, 2014
-
Tannis & Family - Our sincere sympathies & prayers are with you as you travel this tough road. Sincerely - Your "at work family" at St. Peter - Posted by: Sue Chevalier & the staff at St. Peter Centre (colleagues) on: Dec 18, 2014
-
Extending heartfelt sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time. Always cherish the wonderful family memories! - Posted by: Jamie Ewatski (Former school mate of David's) on: Dec 17, 2014
-
Your mom was a beautiful woman inside and out. I am glad I had the opportunity to get to know her and share some of our stories. I know she missed Gordon terribly and if there is comfort in this it is knowing they are together again. Heartfelt hugs and my sincere sympathies to the Baxter family. - Posted by: Jan Remple (Friend) on: Dec 17, 2014
-
Your mom was a beautiful woman inside and out. I am glad I had the opportunity to get to know her and share some of our stories. I know she missed Gordon terribly and if there is comfort in this it is knowing they are together again. Heartfelt hugs and my sincere sympathies to the Baxter family. - Posted by: Jan Remple (Friend) on: Dec 17, 2014
-
Gram was always there when we needed her. She came to stay with me in 2005. I never had the pleasure of being near my Grandparents until that year. She baked cookies every single day, made dinner every night, and reflected quietly over her memoir in spare moments. Gram never stopped caring for others. Her protective nature is mirrored in her sons and daughters. Her fierce loyalty lives on in all of us. - Posted by: Emily Baxter (Granddaughter) on: Dec 16, 2014
-
Thinking about all the Baxters and how much they loved their Gram. Rita was a beautiful woman and a peaceful presence. I am happy to have met her. Peace and Love to all of you. - Posted by: K. Clark () on: Dec 16, 2014
-
I met Rita through friends in the early 1980's. Rita was 40 years older than me but this age difference was no matter. At the time I was a newly graduated pharmacist. Rita had a wealth of professional experience to share with me. She was beautiful, well-dressed, feisty, compassionate, funny and I loved our discussions. Up to even recently when I drive through Charleswood I think of Rita and her lovely home, her strive to make it all good for her family. My sincere condolences to Rita's children and extended family. A Renaissance individual is one to be reckoned with at times; will be so missed for their passion. Deepest Sympathy, Laurie Lipinski - Posted by: Laurie Lipinski (friend) on: Dec 16, 2014
-
My father George, Rita's brother, was honored to meet with Queen Elizabeth at the official opening of the Canadian Aviation Museum and invited Rita as his escort - what an excellent choice. What wasn't to like? Rita was a wonderful woman, mother, role model and aunt. Condolences to her family. - Posted by: Leona Butchart (Niece) on: Dec 16, 2014
-
Our thoughts & prayers are with your family. It is never a good time to becoming a one without parents. Choose a memory that brings a smile to your heart & cherish it always. Even though this is the most difficult time of the year, may the spirit of Christmas hold your Mother's life brightly. It's with True Understanding, Sympathy & Friendship, Eddie & Shirley Thomas - Posted by: Eddie & Shirley Thomas (friend of Paul's ) on: Dec 16, 2014
-
I will always remember her lovely smile and her kindness. She was a truly beautiful person. May she rest in peace. - Posted by: Doreen Bieber(Kammermayer) (fellow SB nurse) on: Dec 16, 2014
-
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss…our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. - Posted by: Shnayderman family (Friend ) on: Dec 16, 2014
-
Many fond memories of Rita. She always had a pleasant smile and willingness to help. Growing up with the Baxter children across the street, we spent many fond times in their yard. Whenever the need for an expert opinion of a nurse, Rita was always so kind. R.I.P. dear Rita. - Posted by: Pam Black-Rose (Former neighbour) on: Dec 16, 2014
-
I have nothing but fond memories of your Mother and running through the backyards. I had the pleasure of bumping into both of them a few years ago at “Tim’s” and having a lovely catch up. Truly a life well lived. Cindi - Posted by: Cindi French (Childhood friend of Tannis) on: Dec 16, 2014
-
Paul, sincere condolences to you and your family. - Posted by: Denis Michaud (Hockey friend of Paul) on: Dec 16, 2014
