RITA O'DONNELL
Born In: RESERVE MINES
Born: August 8th, 1920
Passed on: December 11th, 2016
In the quiet early morning of December 11, 2016 our Mother, Rita (Nanny) was born into New Life at home, in the presence of loved ones, in her 97th year. Though deeply saddened by Mom’s death, we are filled with deep love and gratitude for the many grace-filled years we shared with her. We know that for Mom, life has changed, not ended and her love will live on in each of our hearts.
Born on August 8, 1920, Rita was a daughter of the late Henry and Annie Aucoin of Reserve Mines.
Rita married Jim, the love of her life, on July 1, 1941 and over 75 years their legacy of love has grown to include 10 children, 27 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Nanny had great enthusiasm for life and was interested in the lives of her family, friends and neighbors. Her zest and spirit was inspiring to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was a woman of humility, faith, compassion, humor and generosity. A member of Saint Anne’s Church, she had a deep devotion to Mary the Mother of Sorrows. She offered the Rosary often, for the intercession of our Blessed Mother in the lives of her family and all who needed prayer.
Mom was an avid reader, enjoying her morning paper and reading many novels. If she watched a movie or read a book, she could recount the story line in a way that made you feel you had read the book or seen the movie as well. She enjoyed nothing more than a good game of Scat at her kitchen table and phone calls from her family. Mom was very proud of her children’s’ musical talents and loved a good kitchen party with singing and dancing.
Mom was active and until her late senior years walked to town nearly every day. One of her favorite things to do in summer was to sit on the wooden swing in yard, feeling the warm breeze on her face and watching the birds. Generations of family have enjoyed swinging with Nanny. We’ll never see a backyard swing without thinking of her. In her later years, Mom enjoyed her TV shows and even if the Queen visited during Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy, she would have to watch and wait for these shows to end, or perhaps get a word in during the commercials.
During Moms illness to her death, she was cared for at home by her children. Each of her sons and daughters, those who live here and those from away, came to spend time with her. She was visited by many of the grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren as well. It was an honor and a privilege for us to care for and minister to this amazing, feisty, vibrant and witty woman who had devoted her life to loving and caring for us!
Mom will be missed and forever remembered with love by her four sons, David (Marlo), Allan (Anita), James (Gail) and Robert (Sharon) and by six daughters, Ruth Cox (Bernard), Anita MacNeil (Ray), Kathy Costelo (Mike), Corinne Corning (Jim), Nina MacDonald (Pierre) and Jo-Anne Merodon(Owen). Mom is also survived by her sisters, Christene Aucoin and Mary MacDonald and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Jim in 1995 and her son-in-law, Doug in 2010, by her parents and siblings, Leo, Eddy, Paddy and Wallace Aucoin, Lillian Ellsworth and Dorothy Gallant, as well as sisters and brothers-in-law.
Mom wanted us to thank for her, the many people who cared for and supported her over the past years. Thanks to the staff of Home Care Nova Scotia and New Waterford Homemakers for your care and friendship and for treating Mom with dignity and respect. To Dr. Michael Gallivan and his office staff for many years of medical care, professionalism and concern. Our deepest thanks to the physicians and nurses of Cape Breton Hospice Palliative Care who enabled us to care for Mom in her home where she was so happy and comfortable. We are so blessed to have this wonderful service in our area. To staff of the Cape Breton Cancer Centre for your professionalism and kindness and to VON for your support over the past months. To pharmacists and staff of Shoppers Drug Mart in Glace Bay for your courtesy. A special thank you to our friends, Annabeth Bearnes and Judy O’Donnell for your visits and kindness to Mom. Our heartfelt thanks to our brother-in-law, Ray MacNeil, who loved and cared for Mom like a son. She always said “We could never pay Ray what he’s worth!”
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at Curry’s Funeral Home, Main St, Glace Bay on Wednesday, Dec.14 from 2-4 and 7-9 with Funeral Mass of Celebration to take place on Thursday, Dec. 15 at10 a.m. in Saint Anne’s Church Main St Glace Bay.
Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Nova Scotia.
Say not in grief “She is no more”, but live in thankfulness that she was.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.currysfuneralhome.com.
