Ms. Rita Aileen McColl

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Rita Aileen McColl. She lived well, loved immensely and passed peacefully with loving family members by her side. The unique and special way she loved was reflected by her many names; Mom, Grandma, Granny Baby, Great Grandma, GG and “The Big Kahuna”. The greatest gift she gave us was her ability to make us feel like we were the favorite. She was able to show her love individually leaving us all with fond memories of her cooking our favorite dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner while also always being equal…if one of us needed anything we ALL got something we needed.

She is survived by her favorite eldest daughter Heather Joanne (Gil), her favorite middle daughter Melva Lynne, her favorite youngest daughter Shirley Dawn (Rick), favorite stepdaughter Norma, all her favorite grandchildren, great grandchildren and brother Wayne (Nancy). She is predeceased by parents Anna and August, brother Allan (Lorraine), husbands Gordon, Neil and Denny and numerous family and friends.

Rita grew up in Fannystelle, MB, attending Maple-stead School for eight years. She travelled to school by horse and buggy and in winter by sleigh. She attended high school in Winnipeg and two years at Success Business College excelling in stenography and bookkeeping. Upon graduating she worked at James Richardson’s being one of the first of girls on the boardwalk marking the market changes and working afternoons in the office.

Two years later she met and married Gordon and had three beautiful daughters. Together they lived happily until the sudden passing of Gordon in 1965. It was then Rita returned to work at Municipal Hospital for a social worker, as a switchboard operator and helped in the setup of “Home Care”.

In 1967 she began work at Macleod’s as private secretary to the Vice President Treasurer. Unbeknownst to her this job brought much more than a paycheque to care for her girls. It was there she met the next love of her life Neil McColl and was blessed with another daughter and granddaughter. Rita and Neil spent all their weekends and holidays at their cabin in Caddy Lake fishing and hosting parties. Retirement did not slow them down. These snowbirds spent 6 months At Caddy Lake and 6 months in Pharr, Texas where they golfed every day and danced every night for the next 15 years. The quietness of spring and fall at the cabin quickly became too much for this adventurous duo. They sold the cabin, moved to Neil’s “God’s Country” and bought a motorhome. They travelled Canada for 3 summers and U.S. for a year making routine stops in Winnipeg and Edmonton to swoop in and spoil their grandchildren with their love, wisdom and generosity.

As they aged and were forced to slow down they settled once more, this time in High River, AB. They made many new friends joining the golf and country club, were board members of their condo association as well as Rita volunteering for the women’s hospital auxiliary. As if they weren’t busy enough travelling, golfing, happy-houring and volunteering she also found the time to learn computers! She showed her love from afar by making cards, a recipe book, a family photo history book and countless personalized precious homemade gifts we all still treasure to this day. Rita lovingly cared for Neil until his passing in 2007. She then made another big move back home to Winnipeg to be closer to family to help and care for her. But Rita wasn’t quite ready to settle down and get old just yet, after all she was only plenty nine. She kept active and social, had no fear of travelling on her own, even driving long distances alone and of course she never missed a good party!

In 2008 while visiting her brother in Florida, she reconnected with an old friend from her days at Macleod’s, Denny. In each other they found love and companionship once more, as they both wanted to continue to travel and both were mourning the losses of their significant others who were all friends those days long ago. Their union brought the welcome addition of new family members to join together and was celebrated by a large party at Denny’s granddaughter’s home.

They carried on happily together until Denny’s passing in 2010 saw Rita once again on her own but certainly not alone.

As per Rita’s wishes no service will be held. She will be laid to rest in the Field of Honor alongside Neil in a private celebration of immediate family.

The unique and special way she loved and lived will forever be remembered in the hearts of all who met her. She kept her strength, resilience, vitality and love for life and others until the very day she passed, even following her nurses on night duty helping care for others in her home. Though she will be greatly missed we are comforted knowing the great reunions she’s no doubt having. Boy are we missing one great party!! Cheers Granny Baby and keep that party going until we meet again.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thomsoninthepark.com for the McColl family.