It is with great sadness that we, the family of Rita Sawlor, announce her passing. The matriarch of our family passed away on February 18, 2020 surrounded by the love and prayers of her family. Born Mary Rita Gaudet on June 23, 1922 to her late parents, Lena Thibodeau and Patrick Gaudet. She was from a loving family of eight girls. She would often reminisce about life with her sisters, her neighbours and growing up on Inglis Street. As a child, Mom attended Constantine School. She went on to attend Holy Angels High School which, at the time, was in the attic of the convent. Being raised in a home where prayer was at the forefront, she walked to Sacred Heart Church every day to attend morning mass before her classes. She was a hardworking student, and went on to obtain her Business Certificate. She worked in her younger years on Charlotte Street for Hugh MacLeod. She loved to skate and dance both for social reasons and as a way to exercise. She loved to laugh and have fun. She spent a lot of years swimming at Polar Bear in South Bar where her family had a cottage. Swimming would continue to be a big part of her life as she swam each day at the Kiwanis pool well into her nineties. She met many friends here including Judy Butler, who always included mom at their after swim breakfasts. During the war years, she met and married our father, Bob Sawlor. Together they went on to have seven children. Dad built our family home on Sutherland Street where we would go on to have life long friends and neighbours. One of Mom’s many blessings was that she was able to stay in our family home all of her life. She enjoyed her garden, the swing on her veranda, and sitting on her back deck to read. Mom was a devout Catholic and enjoyed being able to walk to St. Theresa Church every day. She was always praying for her family and had a deep connection to both St. Theresa and St. Peo. Mom, along with Rita Wall and Tony MacKinnon founded the St. Theresa’s prayer group. She found comfort and friendship in this group, which still exists today. She was a lifelong active member of St. Theresa CWL. She was a beautiful sewer. She loved using her hands to be creative. She used her talents to make many crafts and homemade quilts over the years, and donated many of these items to the CWL Fall Fair. Mom was also active in her card club of fifty years with her good friend Ann Boutilier. We will miss our mother more than words can say. She was wise, practical and believed strongly in using common sense. She led by humble example and was a role model to all of us. Her motto in life was to try to eat right, exercise, laugh, say her prayers and enjoy her family. Mom was predeceased by her parents, Lena and Patrick Gaudet; her husband, Bob Sawlor; her children, Greg and Brenda; her grandchildren, Lindsay Sawlor, Jason Sawlor and Sara Joseph and her sisters, Marianne, Marguerite, Sister Francis, Ena, Patricia and Genevieve. She is survived by her children, Walter (Elaine), Rick (Paula); daughter-in-law Sharon, Brad (Rhona), Karen (Dave) and Donna (Craig); sister, Louise MacDonald; her 17 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation will take place on Friday at TW Curry Parkview Chapel from 2-4 and 7-9 with a Funeral Mass on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. at St. Theresa Church with Fr. Dennis Lamey officiating. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.twcurry.com “Mom…Thank you for all the beautiful memories that you and dad gave to us. We will carry you with us every day. Your love and laughter will be our guide.”
