Rita Margaret (Anderson) Skinner
May 15, 1948 - June 29, 2015
Rita was raised by her grandparents "Papa" Frank Anderson and “Mum” Flora (MacEachern) Anderson, and her aunt Dorothy "Dot" Anderson, later Licastro; as well as growing up with her life-long cohorts from Elm St. Extension in Truro, NS. After completing Success Business College she began living and working in Halifax. Upon returning to Truro in the early seventies she went to work at the Dept. of Lands and Forest, then the Colchester Historical Museum and later with Town of Truro, where she started out at the BIDC, but retired from the Parks and Recreation Dept. in 2010. Rita married her high school sweetheart, Bryan. Over the years they stayed in NS, most recently at a beautiful spot by Angevine Lake near Wallace, but traveled to many places as far away as NZ. Together they started their family; they would become the great loves of her life. Rita and Bryan had two daughters; first Raina (Matt Morton, Charlottesville, VA), and then Jena (Chris Alexander, Vail, CO). Both girls currently reside in the U.S. and Rita loved visiting them as often as possible. One of her greatest joys in life has been being ‘Gran’ to Raina’s boys, Cameron and Callum. She was so proud of both of them. Rita was truly "a funny little rig" and “cute as a bug’s ear”. The joy she got from her grandsons lit her up to her core. With her gentle, kind soul she cared for everyone. She had many friendships, both old and new. She also had many adventures with her co-conspirators: Ruby (and lil Sapphire), Pearl and Emerald. Blessed with the voice of an angel, she loved music and singing, regularly breaking into song. Apparently born with a bright green thumb, her other children were her flowers and she took great joy in her beautiful gardens. She was naturally creative, artistic and had a fabulous sense of style. She had beautiful handwriting and believed in handwritten notes. She rarely forgot a birthday and loved to make people feel special. If Rita was your friend she was your most loyal confidant; ready to lend an ear, a shoulder or a modicum of sound advice. Rita was a fantastic cook. She fed her beloveds from her heart for more than 45 years. She avidly drank tea, enjoying her “cuppa”, a secret to no one. In the last few years she took delight from time spent at The Magnolia (Nursing Home), playing Scrabble and Rummy with the residents. She had her own special sense of humor, adored by her family and friends and she loved to laugh. Rita had a zest for life and she embraced love and light, right up til her death from pancreatic cancer. We believe her purpose on this planet was simple, to love...and that she did. A celebration of Rita’s life will take place on Sunday, July 5 from 2-4 pm in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St Andrew’s United Benevolent Fund. On-line condolences may be made at www.ColchesterCommunity.com

The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air, the fragrance of the grass, they speak to me.
The summit of the mountain, the thunder of the sky, the rhythm of the sea, speaks to me.
The faintness of the stars, the freshness of the morning, the dewdrop on the flower, speaks to me.
The strength of the fire, the taste of the salmon, the trail of the sun, and the life that never goes away, they speak to me. And my heart soars.
— Chief Dan George