Rita Viola MacNeil
Lieu de naissance : New Waterford, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Lieu de décès : New Waterford/Halifax, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 1er novembre 2010
It is with great sadness that we, the family of Rita Viola MacNeil, announce her passing. On Nov. 1, 2010, our mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Rita, was called back home suddenly and we will forever miss her.
Born to Mary 'Molly' Flemming and Michael 'Mickey' A. MacNeil on Oct. 14, 1923, Rita spent many years in New Waterford before moving to Labrador City, where she lived with her husband Thomas 'Tommy' MacNeil and raised their family. They later retired to New Waterford where they lived for many years until moving to Halifax to be with their children.
Rita always considered New Waterford to be her 'home' and it is where she will be laid to rest.
Rita is survived by her children, Colleen MacNeil, Halifax, Anthony (Cecelia) MacNeil, Sackville, and Judy (John) Lewis, Brighton, Ont.; six grandchildren, Matthew, Aaron, Justin, Lauren, Stephanie and Zachary, will dearly miss their 'Nana' and her loving hugs, encouragement and baked goodies. Rita is also survived by her brother, Russell MacNeil; and many nieces and nephews, whom she loved very much.
Rita was predeceased by her loving husband, Tommy and her sisters and their husbands, Mary MacLeod (Ecky), 'Lottie' MacNeil (Uggs), her brother and his wife, Gussie MacNeil (Rita), sister-in-law, Isabel MacNeil (wife of Russell), an infant granddaughter, Jennifer, and by her parents Molly and Mickey MacNeil.
Rita was a member of the Parish Church of St. Leonard, formerly Mount Carmel Church, New Waterford.
All who knew Rita will remember her as a humble, kind and fun-loving soul and will forever be better people for having been touched by Rita's life. Her faith was and always will be her greatest legacy to her family and her example of humility and grace will never be forgotten.
Rita lived her life as sacrifice to all whom she loved. Heaven's gain is our loss. May you rest in peace, dear Rita.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Nov. 4 from 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford.
A funeral mass of celebration for Rita will take place at the Parish Church of St. Leonard (formerly Mount Carmel Church) on Friday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. with Fr. Ray Huntley officiating.
Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Carmel Centre.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cerebral Palsy Society and/or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia.
Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
"We cannot do great things in this world. We can only do small things with great love." - Mother Teresa
