Rita TONNELLIER

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TONNELLIER (McCabe, Gervais): Rita Tonnellier, our loving mother, nana, and wife passed away at the Calgary Foothills Hospital on March 6, 2010. Mom was the tenth child, born December 14, 1936, to Joseph and Marie-Ange Gervais of Wauchope, Saskatchewan. After the loss of her mother at three years of age and once she was of school age her life in the convents at Wauchope and Forget began. She married our father, John McCabe in 1953. Because of our mother’s early upbringing she developed strengths which would later enable her to face the challenges of being a single parent with four young children. Her career in the Purchasing Department of McKenzie Seeds gave her great satisfaction. After her retirement from McKenzie’s (27 years) she always appreciated invitations back to visit with her former co-workers. Her career complimented her love of gardening, a truly life-long passion. In 1987 Mom married Gordon Kontzie with whom she enjoyed 14 years of marriage. Gordon passed away in 2001. While at a reunion in Wauchope, Saskatchewan in 2003 she reconnected with childhood friend, Jack Tonnellier. They married in January of 2004. Mom made the move to her new home in Turner Valley, Alberta. We are forever grateful to Jack for taking such good care of our mother. The memories we will cherish are the family gatherings, mother’s love of cooking - nothing made mom happier than to be surrounded by family coming to enjoy her great food, cocktails and having fun. Many of these occasions were celebrated at her little cottage on Lake Metigoshe, which was truly her castle. She loved being a nana and enjoyed spending time with all of her grandchildren especially at the cottage. Scrabble and cribbage took on a whole new meaning! We are very thankful for her inner strength which has been a life long inspiration. We are going to truly miss her love, unwavering support, strong sense of family, good humor and honest opinion. Rita is lovingly remembered by her husband Jack, her daughters and their spouses Marsha Kontzie (Doug Armour), Brenda (Jack Adams), Susan (Garry McGregor) and son John McCabe (Pam). Grandchildren Karissa Adams (Randy Smies), Stephen Kontzie (Jody), David Kontzie (Mel), Shannon Basaraba (Troy), Meghan McGregor (Chad), Michael McGregor, Brendan and Jaedan McCabe. Great-granddaughters Peyton Adams-Smies and Olivia Kontzie. Rita is also survived by her sisters Octavie, Edna and Lillian and brother Henry, sisters-in-law Helen, Florence, Nellie and Florence G. plus numerous nieces and nephews. Mom was predeceased by her parents, newborn brother, her sister Cecile and brothers Al, Dick, Octave and Emile. Funeral Mass was celebrated on March 10, 2010 at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Redvers, Saskatchewan with interment at the St. Regis Parish Cemetery in Wauchope, Saskatchewan. A celebration of life was held on March 21, 2010 in Okotoks, Alberta. If friends so desire a donation can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. We thank God for your life and for putting us in yours.We love you and miss you.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 10, 2010