Rita Schnarr

Proud mother and mother in law of Ruth Ann Wilhelm, Allan (Leila), Glen (Wendy), Greg (Carol), John (Carol), Barb Zitars (John), Peter (Joanna) and Chris. She was loved and adored by her grandchildren, Amanda (Chris), Matt (Kim), Ted (Jen), Melanie (Tye), Laura (Steve), Andrew, Daniel, Tim (Zara), Jamie (Jessie), Joey (Nicole), Jillian, Zach (Kendra), Ben, Nate, Will, Jackson and Palmer and 11 great-grandchildren. Mom / Grandma, you are our sunshine.

Her husband Cyril (2000), granddaughter Emily Zitars (1998) and son-in-law Bob Wilhelm (2012) are now with her in heaven. Survived by her sister, Sister Gertrude Huber (SSND).

Rita was a gentle woman whose heart was full of love and creativity. Her proudest accomplishment was her family. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. Born and raised in Bamberg, she was always proud to say that said she was ‘just a farm girl’. She was a stay-at-home mom and along with Cyril, raised their eight children to be caring, compassionate, creative, hard-working individuals. Her most loved hobby was quilting (we lost count of the number of quilts she made at around 250). Anyone blessed to receive one of her quilts is forever wrapped in her love. Other hobbies included gardening, canning, cooking, volunteering at church and hospitals and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

The family expresses their deep appreciation to the many sensitive and generous caregivers at The Westmount LTC residence. She was their Mom and Grandma too.

Rita’s family will welcome visitors at the Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre, 1001 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener on Wednesday, March 14 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Vigil prayers at 8:45 pm. The funeral mass will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 173 Lourdes St, Waterloo on Thursday March 15 at 11am. Interment to follow at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo immediately after the funeral. Everyone is invited to join Rita’s family in the Parish Hall for refreshments following the interment.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Lisaard & Innisfree Hospice can be made online (lisaardandinnisfree.com) or by contacting the funeral home. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.westmountfuneralchapel.com

‘I remember and will move forever, as all children do, to the heartbeats of my mother. That remembrance is the rhythm of my life' (Timothy Finlay)