Rita MITCHELL Obituary
(1923 - 2013)
Peacefully at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, surrounded by her family, Rita Mitchell (nee Murphy) passed away on March 20, 2013, in her 90th year. Predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Douglas James Mitchell. Loving mother to Ken (Bonnie), Ron (Virginia), Gerry (Sandy) and Gail (Mike), and devoted grandmother to Bill, Jennifer, Scott James, Kelly and Tong. Rita will be deeply missed by her many nieces and nephews. Rita was at her happiest when hosting gatherings of family and friends at her farm homes in South Durham, Que., and Madoc, Ont. She took pleasure in everything she did, from teaching her children and grandchildren to swim, skate, ski and appreciate the wonders of nature, to cooking delicious meals made with love and from vegetables grown in her garden.
Visitation at the Centre Funéraire Côte des Neiges, 4525 Côte des Neiges Rd. in Montreal, on Sunday, March 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., and Monday, March 25, from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral service at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 25, with reception to follow immediately.
For friends in Ottawa, a memorial reception will be held at the Canal Ritz restaurant, 375 Queen Elizabeth Dr., Ottawa, on Saturday, April 6, from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of A5 at The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus for their gentle care. In memoriam donations may be made to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation at ohfoundation.ca, or to Myeloma Canada at myelomacanada.ca
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
29 Entries
Frank Fasullo
March 25, 2013
"Great Auntie" Rita,so fond of the few memories from my childhood. Will miss you and my Granny,your sister, and my Mum your niece.... my sympathy to the family. with love, Frank Fasullo
Regan Kelly
March 25, 2013
I heard so many great things about you
Auntie Rita from my mother Patsy Kelly
(Cunningham). May you rest in peace.
Elizabeth Gauld
March 25, 2013
Hi Kenny, Ronnie, Jerry and Gail,
So sorry to hear about your mother passing away. After Mom told me it made me think of my many memories of her and your dad from South Durham. I don't know what I would have done without them. They are 2 people who made such a difference in my life. Their home was always warm with welcome, wood stoves burning, wonderful home cooked meals, great conversations and company. I loved being there. When Gunter gutted our house and left no plumbing nor water she often welcomed me for a bath - it didn't get much better than that afor me at the time! Your dad and Jerry helped put out our field fire. Your mom took such good care of me when I was pregnant, took the kids when I needed to go to the hospital and babysat Kim at 3 months when I had a death in the family. She was wonderful - open hearted, open minded, and so generous. I am so grateful that I have experienced them in my life. Take care .... Elizabeth
Roula Barakeh-Diab
March 25, 2013
Gail and family - My deepest sympathies on your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
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David Burbridge
March 24, 2013
Rita and I recently were neighbours at 350 Queen Elizabeth Drive for two years. Often, we exchanged stories and memories. She had a very generous spirit and she will be missed by all who knew her. My thoughts are with your family at this sad time.
March 24, 2013
Dear Gail,
I am so sorry that your mother is no longer with you. I remember you speaking highly of her.
She has left behind wonderful memories and she sounds like the kind of person we all would like to be.
Dorothy Levine
Tunde Nemeth
March 24, 2013
Please accept my sympathies on your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.
March 24, 2013
To Gail and family - Our deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved mother. It is a blessing that you and your family had the opportunity to share so many enjoyable years together.
Ruth Silbert, Shannon Conway, Rachael and Conor
Jacquie Prokopanko
March 24, 2013
Gail. I am so sorry for the loss for you and your entire family. We are thinking about you during this difficult time. Jacquie, Richard and Meagan Prokopanko
Lisa Jacobs
March 24, 2013
My thoughts are with you, Gail, and your family. I had the pleasure of meeting your mother once on your family's farm, and I remember her being a kind and caring person.
March 24, 2013
Dear Ron and Virginia and the Mtchell family,
We were very saddened to learn that Rita has transcended this world. May her sprit live on in your memories forever.
With our love,
Henrietta and Jim
Deborah Margo
March 24, 2013
Thanks for letting us know. Thinking of you all, particularly Gail.
Pauline Tam
March 23, 2013
Dear Gail, Mike and Tong:
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Gail: It sounded like your mom lived life to the fullest and cherished those closest to her. I know her spirit will continue to live in you and many others whose lives she so obviously shaped and touched. I hope that during this difficult time, you'll still find moments of joy and peace. Thinking of you.
March 23, 2013
It is with sadness that I have read the loss of a very kind gracious lady
Rita thank you for all your kind words over the years
Bill Tate
Christina, Jean and Andre Dagenais
March 23, 2013
Our sincere condolences for your loss.
We had the pleasure of spending time and chatting with Rita while bowling at the RA Centre in Ottawa. She always had a lovely smile and kind words for everyone.
A true lady that will be missed by everyone who had the opportunity to meet her.
Shirley Hamre/ Thea Boyd
March 23, 2013
On behalf of the Blessed Sacrament Widows group, we extend our sincere condolences for your loss. Rita was a much admired member of our group for many years. Always very helpful, always smiling and so young at heart. We will miss her dearly.
Hope Harris
March 22, 2013
Dear Gail, Mike and Tong
I am so sorry for your loss. Gail please know that you are in my thoughts at this difficult time. Big hugs to all of you.
Hope
March 22, 2013
To Ken, Ron,Gerry, and Gail.
We will miss your Mother Rita.
Will always remember taking over your basement for Expo 67 in Montreal.
Your Dad Doug was my best buddy.
Fondly, Andy Kyle and Family
Diane O'Malley
March 22, 2013
Such an incredible role model. Rita will be sadly missed by so many. I am very grateful to have known this wonderful woman.
Richard Murphy
March 22, 2013
She was an inspiration to all who new her .
A key family member whose leadership and good cheer will be sadly missed .
With deepest sympathy .
Richard, Michele , Jennifer ,
PAR
March 22, 2013
Mrs. Mitchell will always be remembered in my thoughts as a warm and smiling lady in her farmhouse kitchen. She and her husband Doug were much trusted by labs and children -- a telling sign of their kind humanity -- and welcomed all at their door. You mom and dad were special people. My sincere condolences during a sad and sacred time of loss.
PA
March 22, 2013
Your mom will always be remembered as the warm intelligent lady in her kitchen at Madoc. Her beautiful smile and kind spirit stays in our hearts. Mrs. Mitchell and her husband Doug were much trusted and loved by labs and children -- a telling sign of their wonderful humanity -- and welcomed all through the open door of their farm kitchen.
Love and condolences to your family at a sad and sacred time of loss.
Patti-Anne Cleary Clark
March 22, 2013
Sadly our Great Auntie Rita has passed away, just weeks short of celebrating her 90th Birthday (April 14)
She was my mother's aunt (my Grandmother's sister) but there was only 5-yrs apart so they were more like sisters.
While they lived on Wards Island with her husband Doug for a time, they had many mutual friends with my parents sharing a “ Wonderful Fun Filled Life” in Toronto.
So many funny stories and great memories have been continually shared at all our family gatherings over the years.
Auntie Rita loved to share and we hung on every word, joke and song. It is our legacy and I will never forget, sharing as many as I can to the next generations to come.
Our extended family clan has lost our last link to that generation. My heart is heavy sharing but there is a lightness when you trust there is a heaven and a new angel in it.
Bob Anderson
March 22, 2013
Dear Mitchell Family: I was saddened to hear of Rita's passing. I greatly enjoyed chatting with her on Friday nights while bowling at the RA Centre. She was a warm, friendly, gracious lady that always had a sparkle in her eye and a kind word for everybody. I recall her often mentioning how much she enjoyed gardening in addition to sharing time with her family.
Rest in peace Rita - you may be gone but will not be forgotten.
March 22, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jennifer Gray
March 22, 2013
Gail, my thoughts are with you and your family. Sincere condolences.
Kelly Murphy Poirier
March 22, 2013
Rita was such a warm and wonderful lady. I thoroughly enjoyed our chats while my husband bowled with her at the R.A. Centre. I will certainly cherish these memories. Our sincere sympathies to her family of which she spoke about so often.
Catherine Hogan
March 22, 2013
Ken. our deepest sympathies. We will be there for you on Monday.
Cathy and Rick
Danielle Lacroix
March 22, 2013
Gail and family,
Please accept my most sincere condolences for your lost. My prayers and thoughts are with you in these time of grief.
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