Rita Westbrook

Rita McNicoll Westbrook, 85, of Glenmora, Louisiana, peacefully passed away at her home on December 4, 2014.

"ReeRee" was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Jeremiah Westbrook, her parents, Raymond and Ena McNicoll, sister, Mary Louise Baker and brothers, Benton McNicoll and Michael McNicoll.

She is survived by her three children, Greg Westbrook (Sheri), Nanci Wilson (Doyle), Jill Hill (Joe Don Hill) along with grandchildren, Bradley Westbrook, Brittni Westbrook Maetzold (John), Brock Westbrook, Tiffany and Barrett Wilson and Alexandra Hill Thomson (Grant) and Sarah Hill; three brothers, Wade McNicoll (Sharon), Gene McNicoll and Stephen McNicoll (Phyllis); five sisters, Virginia Bass, Dale Daly, Nina Rose Gravel (Paul), Victoria Anderson (Don), Julia Tweedle (Bill), one sister-in-law, Laurel McNicoll; and many nieces and nephews.

Rita was born November 11, 1929 to Ena and Raymond "Happy" McNicoll. She grew up and attended school in Glenmora, graduating with a perfect attendance record. She graduated from Lamar University with a degree in nursing. She moved to Galveston to begin practice at St.Mary's (UTMB) Hospital and was later named Director of Nursing. She instilled the value of education to her younger brothers and sisters and made it possible for them to go to college.

Her attention to detail and loving care made her nursing skills highly sought after. Among her patients were Olympian Babe Didrickson and a notorious (alleged) crime boss in Galveston, although she steadfastly refused to discuss details of any of her patients.

In 1956, she and Jerry married and soon after, the two moved to Pasadena where they raised their three children. They were very active with the American Legion Post 521 where she proudly served as historian for the Women's Auxiliary.

Rita loved fun and adventure, whether it be a girls trip north, driving through snowstorms in a car named "Goober" or a cruise to Cuba with her girlfriends to dance the night away. Her most treasured trip was to Rome to see The Holy City. After moving back to Glenmora in 2006, she found weekly trips to the "casina" were the ticket to adventure. She could play the penny slots for hours on end!

She loved crossword puzzles and she loved Hershey Kisses. She kept a stash of Kisses in every room.

Visitation will be held at Rush Funeral Home in Glenmora at 4:00 pm on Saturday, December 6th with Rosary at 6:30 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church in Glenmora on Sunday at 3 pm on December 7th followed by internment at Roselawn Cemetery.

Her family would like to extend a special thank you to Candace, Tina, Loretta, Carolyn and the staff of Central Louisiana Homehealth and Hospice for their loving care.