MARGARET "RITA" PHYLLIS

MARGARET "RITA" PHYLLIS (nee: Edmiston) November 11th, 1937 ~ February 14th, 2024
Margaret Phyllis of Sycamore Place, Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on February 14, 2024.

Margaret, or Rita as she was known by her friends, was born in Paisley, Scotland on November 11, 1937. Rita and her twin sister, Jessie, lived in the Blackstoun Oval area, where they did everything together.

It was here, that Rita met the love of her life and future husband Merv, who travelled to Paisley to play professional hockey for the Paisley Pirates. They were married in Scotland on July 3, 1957 and celebrated their 60th Anniversary in 2017, the same year Merv passed away.

While in Scotland, they had their first son, Victor. Shortly after, Merv and Rita returned to Canada, relocating to Ontario with Merv's jobs at Northern Telephone, Mooretown Telephone and Bell Canada. Their middle child, John, was born in Kenora, and their youngest son Alan was born in Dryden. In 1973, the family moved to Thunder Bay, where they lived together for 44 years and Rita for the past 6 years.

Rita worked at Ontario Hydro and Diamond Jubilee Public School in Kapuskasing, Eplett's Dairy (Ice Cream) in New Liskeard, Fitzpatrick & Partners in Thunder Bay, as a bookkeeper and H&R Block doing taxes.

She was a great mother and spent many years supporting Merv and their three children as a homemaker and peacemaker. Rita was a beautiful, kind, humorous person who always supported her 3 boys and couldn't have been more proud of them. She always had a warm meal or cold drink for her boys' and their friends, whether they were neighbourhood kids or University friends from out of town, attending Lakehead University.

Rita volunteered as a Kinette and supported Merv with the Cystic Fibrosis Telethon, (where he was the chairman), the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition and with countless Elks Hockey Association tournaments. She deeply missed her daily socializing with Merv and their Elks family at Lodge 82 of Thunder Bay.

The family would like to thank Dr. Cole, the nurses, doctors, and support staff that cared for her at Hogarth TCU and the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital; Emergency and 1A for her brief time there.

Rita left us on Valentine's Day to be with her sweetheart, Merv, and will be sadly missed by her sons, Victor (Lisa), John (Sylvia), Alan (Lindsay); grandchildren, Brendan (Alyssa), Nicholas (Nicole), Wil and Chloe; twin sister, Jessie Davis; nieces and nephews in Windsor, Scotland and England; the Mauro and Savioli families; and her neighbours.

At the request of Rita, cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation - Northern Cancer Fund in her memory.

Online condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com