Rita Astle

In Loving Memory Of Rita Astle The family of Rita Astle wishes to announce, with great sadness, Rita's passing on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at the Palliative Care Unit, St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon, SK. Left to mourn her passing but celebrate her life are her daughter, Colleen Bitz; grandson, Shane, both of Saskatoon; granddaughter, Chantal Patenaude (Claude Heppelle) and great grandson, Sacha, great granddaughter yet to be born, grandson, David Patenaude, all of Edmonton; and great granddaughter, Erin Ollenberg (Kraig) and their daughters, Taylor, Avia, Megan and Miranda, all of Saskatoon. Rita's remaining siblings are Maurice Cook and Margaret Kochan of Redwater, AB, and Winnifred Shaw of Victoria, BC; and she enjoyed the loving relationships with many nieces and nephews. Rita was predeceased by her husband, Gordon (2001); her daughter, Judy Patenaude (1989); her granddaughter, Amanda Bitz (1996) and her two sons in law, Denis Patenaude (2002) and Patrick Bitz (2007). Rita was born, the youngest of fourteen children, to Hilton and Christina Cook on May 26, 1926 at Redwater, Alberta. She was a bright and talented child who enjoyed singing, playing the guitar and attending the local country school. She was very close to her parents and siblings and maintained these loving relationships all of her life. On August 12, 1948, Rita married Gordon John Astle, the love of her life. She always told everyone, "I had fifty two wonderful years with my husband ", and she did. Rita and Gordon had two daughters, Judy and Colleen, and together they moved frequently to many Saskatchewan locales because of Gordon's position with Imperial Oil. Rita made a happy home in each town and was always active within every community. She was a kindergarten teacher by profession, but also worked retail in later years. Her many gifts were welcomed by such organizations as the United Church choir, Sunday school, CGIT, various teen clubs, as well as volunteering for the local library, the Shriners, RUH Nursery and aquacise fitness centre in Yuma. AZ. She and Gordon also enjoyed camping with friends and family and didn't miss a family reunion. In later years they divided their time between Yuma, AZ and Saskatoon with many dear friendships in both locations. The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Andrew Harrington and the caregivers at the St. Paul's Hospital Palliative Care Unit, for their loving kindness and care given to Rita. The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. from Park Funeral Chapel (311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon). Interment of ashes will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Rita's honour may be made to the St. Paul's Hospital Palliative Care Unit, 1705 22nd Street West, Saskatoon, SK, S7M 0Z9. Arrangements entrusted to Lynn Constantinoff of PARK FUNERAL CHAPEL, 244-2103