Margaret Cecilia “Rita” (nee Bernard) Whitehead passed away peacefully on January 13th, 2010 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, after celebrating her 94th birthday on December 27th, 2009. Loving mother of Denise Dee of Florence, Oregon and Gerry (Nancy) Whitehead of Bakersfield, California; grandmother to Steven (Heather)Dee; and great-grandmother of Brandy, Grace, Willow, Liam and June. Rita is also survived by her brother Jerome (Mary) Bernard of Windsor, Ontario; nephews Rick, Tom and Leo and nieces Kathy and Mary Ellen and their spouses. Rita was predeceased by her parents Benoit and Emma (Arsenault) Bernard, brother Maurice of Moose Jaw and sister Annette of Toronto. Family and friends are invited to gather on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home. The Memorial Service will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Rita grew up in Sandy Creek and Caron. She received nursing training at Providence Hospital, Moose Jaw and worked at various hospitals in Saskatchewan and BC during and after WWII. She married Clarence Whitehead and moved to California in the early 1950s. She returned to Caron in the late 1970s where she enjoyed tending to family, house and garden. She loved and excelled at oil painting, which she began to study later in life and family members now cherish her artwork. In recent years, she moved into Moose Jaw, where she loved walking in Crescent Park. Members of the family, especially Rita, sister Annette, daughter Denise and brother Jerry were especially gifted with musical abilities; son Gerry worked as a DJ. Rita shared her love of music through regular volunteer ‘gigs’ at places like Providence Nursing Home, where she played keyboard for any occasion. She was a faithful member of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Moose Jaw for many years. The family would like to especially thank Rita’s friend and caregiver, Dale Duckworth for her tireless assistance, friendship and kindnesses she has given Rita and the family for many years, as well as her husband, Ron. The family also thanks staff at the Extendicare (Moose Jaw) for their help in caring for Rita in recent months. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Terry Fox Foundation, 255 – 1933 – 8th Ave., Regina, Sask. or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Jeff Ofstie, Funeral Director. 693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com