Rita Joyce MacPherson - 88, passed away peacefully, December 27, 2011 at her home in Cambridge, Nova Scotia. Born on March 12, 1923 in Moncton, New Brunswick, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Hazel (Gray) O'Brien. A talented singer throughout her life, Rita loved music. Growing up in Moncton in the 1930's, she sang under the name Pat O'Brien and was featured weekly on CKCW radio. During the 1940's Rita worked in Ontario as a "bomb girl" at the Ajax Defence Industries Limited shell filling plant. Her first marriage in the 1940's to Montreal Hornets football player, Walter Stiebel, later a sportswriter, gave Rita plenty of opportunities to attend sports events at the Molson Stadium and Montreal Forum, where watching games over center-ice from the press box left her with a life-long love of hockey. In the 1960's and 70's Rita, who enjoyed fashion, worked at New York Dress and House of Fashion, Halifax, and Saks, Toronto. Throughout her life she enjoyed occasional appearances in print ads and in television commercials. Predeceased by her first husband, she was happily married to her second husband, Ronald MacPherson of Port Hawkesbury, Cape Breton until his passing. An avid reader, Rita had many hobbies and interests, including photography, antiques, art and history. She was especially fond of traveling to the United States several times each year sight-seeing, antiquing and shopping with daughter, Sharon. Although diagnosed several years ago with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, Rita lived life to the fullest, enjoying an active lifestyle and exceptionally good health until her sudden death. She was predeceased by sister, Shirley and brother-in-law, Gordon (Halifax); sister, Jean and bother-in-law, Frank (Maple Ridge, BC); brother, Earl and sister-¬in-law, Lillian (Moncton); and infant brother, Freddie (Moncton). She is survived by her daughters, Judith Marilyn MacIsaac, Halifax and Sharon Jamie Stiebel, Hantsport; granddaughter, Lisa (Brent) Goddfrey; grandson, Jay (Lisa) MacIsaac; great-grandchildren, Jordyn and John MacIsaac; sisters, Dorothy (Hubley) and Eileen (Murphy), all of Halifax. Rita is also survived by honorary son, Gary Morton and by several nieces and nephews of whom she was extremely fond. She was much-loved by all who knew her. Her kindness, openness and dry wit, along with her fascinating stories from a life well-lived will always be remembered. A private family ceremony will be held at a later date in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.