Rita Healey GRAVE

RITA HEALEY GRAVE Died peacefully after a short illness, on March 20, 2021, aged 88, at Toronto General Hospital. Mother of Dan, Michele, John, Michael, and Edward, and stepmother to Christine, and grandmother "Ba Nana" of Charlotte, Rachel, Max, Emma, August, Sastolina, and Dylan. Predeceased by her two remarkable husbands, Edward Healey (married 1956 to 1981) and Ian Grave (1987 to 2004). A Chartered Accountant, mother, and gifted hostess, Rita's Italian-Canadian origins were never far beneath the surface. Rita was an instinctive feminist whose achievements, won against tough odds, showed us what talent and hard work, guided by love, can accomplish. Born in Niagara Falls and raised in west Toronto, Rita quit high school at grade 11 and worked in factories and offices. She met Edward with a gang of friends at a "Rover Boys" singers gig in Buffalo. They married in 1956, had five children, and settled in Brockville in 1965. In 1970 she took a job as bookkeeper at Brockville Public Library. Rita soon decided to finish high school and pursue her dream to become a CA. After ten years of work, study and caring for five children, in 1980 she qualified and worked for Burnbrae Farms, Lyn, Ontario, as office manager until retirement in 1995. With ex-RAF pilot Ian she found a soul-mate who worshipped her. They enjoyed many years in the Boardwalk Condominium among friends in Brockville; flew Concorde; and fell in love with Barbados. Rita returned to her refuge there to escape over 30 Canadian winters. We will not forget her sharp wit, her mercurial humour, or her icy martinis. She'd be delighted if you raised one tonight in her honour. A celebration of life will be held when conditions allow. In lieu of flowers, donations to Covenant House, Toronto, would be appreciated.