Rita Sylvia Morrow

1934 - 2021

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Rita Sylvia Morrow (Fassina) on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the age of 86. She left this world peacefully, surrounded by family at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.

Rita was born on November 20, 1934 in Port Arthur, to Anna-Maria and Angelo Fassina. Rita was the youngest of seven children growing up in the family home, located on Ontario Street in the "Little Italy" neighbourhood of Port Arthur.

Rita attended St. Joseph's School and later P.A.C.I. along with her friends for life Mary, Norma, Ruth, Diane, Joan and Maggie. The girls would always be together in the old neighbourhood, where they played baseball in the schoolyard and in the winter skated on the frozen milk rink outside the Co-op Dairy.

Rita was a very social person, who loved going to dances and talking on the phone. She was also a conscientious student who excelled in her studies. After graduating high school, she decided to attend Teacher's College in North Bay in 1953/54. Later in life she completed her HBA in English at Lakehead University, through night classes over several years while raising her family and working.

Rita met and married the love of her life, Hugh Morrow in August 1956, after a short courtship. They built their home on Matthews Street, where they lived their lives together. As the neighbourhood grew, so did her circle of neighbourhood friends that are too many to list but include Effie, Vicki, Betty and Krystyne.

Rita was a proud mother of six children and grandmother to nine grandchildren. As matriarch of the family, she was very supportive of all her children and grandchildren, ensuring their happiness and success.

Aside from being a mother and grandmother, teaching was the most important part of her life. Rita taught at many schools with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, most notably at St. Margaret, St. Andrew and St. Paul. Rita was a mentor to many student teachers throughout the years and retired from teaching in 1995, after a very fulfilling career. Her legacy of teaching touched the lives of many, and she spent countless hours meticulously preparing lesson plans with love. Teaching was not her job, it was her passion and vocation.

Rita enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, and was well known in the Thunder Bay Bridge community. Rita had a true green thumb and was very proud of her flower gardens, which were beautiful and envied by all. She also loved to cook, bake and be the hostess to many dinners and evenings with close friends and family, as they were very important to her.

She was a skilled piano player and passed her musical talents down to her family. In her later years, Rita especially enjoyed talking on the phone and watching her favourite shows like "Say Yes to the Dress", "Just for Laughs Gags" and any shows about travel or home renovations. Rita had fresh flowers in her room every day including one behind each ear. On Tuesday, the day she passed, the entire staff of Plaza 2 wore flowers in their hair in her memory.

Rita remained a faithful Catholic and often turned to prayer and devotion to help her cope with life's many trials, especially during the last few months, when she prayed daily with her church friends. She was a longtime member of St. Margaret's Church and the CWL for many years. She attended many conferences and meetings throughout the years, volunteering for bazaars and funerals while she was able. Later in life, she enjoyed Saturday night dinners with her church friends at Tim Horton's or Arby's after the 5 o'clock mass.

Rita persevered through breast cancer (twice) and was later diagnosed with Parkinson's which then turned into Parkinson's Dementia. Her declining health made it necessary to move her to assisted living at Chartwell Arundel and later to Pioneer Ridge Long Term Care Home.

Rita was blessed with nine grandchildren whom she adored. She was always happiest when they visited her, having lunches, after school tutoring, movie nights, sleep overs and visiting her grandchildren in Edmonton.

Rita endured a lot of loss throughout her life. She was predeceased by three of her children; James David, Joseph, Melanie, and her loving husband Hugh, by her parents Anna-Maria and Angelo Fassina, in-laws Lillian and James Morrow, brothers Rene (Joy), Geno (Isabelle), Marino (Lila), Albino (Elvie) sister Gloria (Vern) Hayton and infant brother Albino.

Rita will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children; Patrick (Carolina), Michael (Nina) and Colleen (Rick Edmunds), grandchildren Christina (Gil Noble), Aaron, James, Jonathan (Sarah Sawiak), Adrienne, Heather, Micaela, Donovan and Madison (Brose); as well as brother-in-law's, Walter and Bernard, and sister-in-law's, Geri Albanese and Bernice Diner; and numerous nieces and nephews on both the Morrow and Fassina sides and many close friends.

The family would like to thank the many PSW's, support staff, nurses and doctors at Chartwell Arundel, Pioneer Ridge and the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, who took wonderful care of Mom in her time of need. As well, thank you to her circle of friends, and family who continued to visit and call when able, especially during the pandemic and lock down periods.

Visitation for friends will be held in the Sargent and Son Chapel on Thursday, April 29th from 6-7pm with friends being asked to register on Rita's page at http://www.sargentandson.com>" title="www.sargentandson.com<http://www.sargentandson.com>">www.sargentandson.com<http://www.sargentandson.com> or by phoning the funeral home at 345-5351. A private family funeral service will take place at Sargent and Son Funeral Home at 1:00 pm on Friday April 30th followed by a private interment at St. Andrew's Cemetery. Those wishing to attend the service, may do so virtually on the Sargent & Son Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Margaret's Church, the Northern Cancer Fund, Parkinson Canada, or any charity of your choice.

Words cannot describe how truly privileged we all were to have such a kind, humble and honourable woman touch our lives.

May God hold her in the palm of His hand.

Online condolences may be made at
www.sargentandson.com