Rita WHITE

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WHITE: Rita Marie Ange Jeanne White (nee Hayden) peacefully, on June 4th, 2011, with her family by her side, passed away at the Hamiota Hospital, just four days short of her 78th birthday. She was predeceased by her parents, Felix and Anna, and her sister, Sarah Carpenter. Rita is survived by her loving husband of 49 years Robert White, and their four daughters: Alberta (Jim) Drummond of Red Deer, Alberta; Michelle (Kevin) Brown of Clear Lake, Manitoba; Nicole (Marty) Madsen of Hamiota, Manitoba and Rachael (Gerard) Simard of La Broquerie, Manitoba. Left with many cherished memories are Rita’s pride and joy, her grandchildren, Tyler Drummond, Tanea and Keanne Brown, Taylor and Shailyn Madsen and Gabrielle, Dominique, Gaetan and Chloe Simard. Rita was the eldest of three children born to Felix and Anna (nee Tourond) Hayden. After her Mother’s death when Rita was only five years old, Rita was schooled at the Presentation of Mary Catholic Convent in St.Lazare, Manitoba, alongside her younger sister and brother. Rita left the convent in her mid-teens and found employment at various jobs and eventually discovered her calling as a cook and caregiver. Many of her jobs included working at the Fort Garry Hotel, Rivers Military Base, Virden Gulf Restaurant, Virden West-Man Nursing Home, and providing nanny services. As she opened her home to many families and friends, her homemade perogies, Christmas cake, cabbage rolls, cinnamon buns and dainty trays became favorites for us all. Rita enjoyed camping with her family, berry picking and preserving the harvest from her husband’s garden. She also loved to travel and did so by visiting many places including: Alberta, New Brunswick, New York, Florida, North Dakota and Europe. Nine years ago, Rita was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and true to form, outlived her prognosis and all of her doctor’s expectations. An instrumental part of Rita’s life was the valuable time spent with her grandchildren, especially while she was ill. Rita cared and nurtured them as if they were her own and she found ways to spoil each and every one of them. She knew of that very special way that would make each of them feel like she loved them best and that they were her favorite. Rita’s husband, daughters, sons-in- law and grandchildren feel very blessed that she was, and always will be, an integral part of their lives. She will live on in their cooking, parenting and her love for a good sale. We will miss her immensely, and already do. Rita’s family would like to extend our appreciation to all of the doctors who cared for her over the years. A heartfelt thank you goes out the medical staff at the Hamiota Hospital. Their kindness and compassionate care for our mother over the past two years has touched our hearts deeply. A private family funeral service was held on June 8th, 2011 at Campbell’s Funeral Home & Chapel in Hamiota, Manitoba followed by a Community Reception at the Kenton Community Hall in Kenton, Manitoba. A private family interment took place at the Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations, in memory of Rita, can be made to the Manitoba Lung Association, 940 Princess Ave, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 0P6 or to the Hamiota Health Foundation, Box 671, Hamiota Manitoba, R0M 0T0. Campbell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the number of moments that take our breath away.” unknown

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 23, 2011