Euology:            

 On behalf of the Puusaari and Smitheram families, we would like to thank you all for helping share in today's celebration of our Mother's life - Ritva Liisa Smitheram.  Ritva was a great mom, a great wife and a great friend to everyone.  She loved to cook, entertain and dance.  She especially loved bowling - just ask Stuart  - how much did she beat you by Stu?   Yes, she even liked music.  Hang on, maybe she just loved Lawrence Welk.  If I have to see another episode of that show, I will gag – yikes.  It's not a race.
           Our mother Ritva was born in Halsua, Finland on October 06, 1935.  She met her first husband Reino there.  They decided to move to Canada in 1959.  I was 1 year old at the time and I remember that flight very well.  Tickets were $3.50 (one-way) and they served a full hot meal.  I was getting a little nervous at the time when I overheard the Captain say "Hay Birrkoo, which way is Canada again?".  When the family got to Canada (Jarmo and I were the only children at the time) we settled in a cozy 3 story house at 28 Victor Ave in Toronto and shared the house with 2 other GREAT Finnish families.  Ahhh, brings back fond memories.  It's not a race.
            Eventually the family moved to 95 Bergen Road in Scarborough in 1966.  Helen and Jari were born on Victor Ave, and baby Sirpa was born in Scarborough.  People often ask me how our dear sister Helen got the name Helen.  Well our mother figured that if she is going to have kids in Canada, then let's give them a more Canadian name.  She went back to Finnish names when Jari and Sirpa were born.  Mom got divorced from our father back in the 1980's and eventually met Stuart in 1985 in dancing classes.  I think the day she met you Stuart was the best day of her life.  She was a changed woman after she met you…  and I mean a change for the better, man.  It's not a race.
            My wife Elaine and I had been planning our wedding (we got married in 1987) for some time.  Ritva, Ritva, Ritva.  Mom and Stuart decided that they wanted to get married.  After a whirl wind romance, they got married in 1987 as well - 2 months before we got married.  How many children can say they got married in the same year as their mother?  I love it.  It's not a race.
            Ritva did have some quirks, like almost all of us do.  For example, our Mother had a good command of the English language as Tammy shared with us over the weekend.  Ritva was cooking dinner one day for Tammy and AJ, when Tammy asked "What are you cooking Ritva?  I am cooking sicken.  What was that?  Sicken.  You feel sick Ritva?  No, no, no, I am cooking sicken like bak bak bak bak (flail the arms now)."  It's not a race.
 One of her favourite sayings when we were kids was “besse sinyun gooness baass (i.e.-wash your elbows).  Jarmo, besse sinyun gooness baass.  Juha, besse sinyun gooness baass.”   (Take off jacket and roll up sleeves).  Hay Mom, guess what?  I washed my elbows this morning.  I have the cleanest elbows in Toronto, and man, I am so proud of that.
            Mom really loved gardening.  We think mom got her start when we were just young-uns.  My brother Jarmo went and planted a few Boston Ferns and put them on the living room window sill.  He really loved them things and Mom took a real shining to them as well.  "Jarmo, those Boston Ferns are really beautiful.  I will water them every day for you.  They need lots of water you know."  A few weeks later Mother showed off HER Ferns to one of her friends, and for the life of them, they couldn't figure out what kind of species they were. So her friend brought a plant book over 2 weeks later and the two of them looked through it together and.. "OMG Ritva (yes, OMG was invented in the 70's) they are marijuana plants, not Boston Ferns!!!”.  Needless to say she pulled them out, walked them right past Sirpa and threw them in the garbage.  You know, I checked the garbage the next day and they were not there anymore.  To this day I don't know what happened to those lovely plants, but I think somebody in the family (rumoured to be Jari), took good care of them!  It's not a race.
              Christmas was always an exciting time in the crazy Puusaari household.  Just ask Stuart.  He has witnessed 25+ years of Puusaari Christmas's.  Listen, what happens at the Puusaari Christmas parties stays at the Puusaari Christmas parties.  I cannot talk about all of them, but I do have to say, there are a couple of common themes throughout the years.  Mom loved to crochet and knit.  Man, she was so good at knitting that she could knit you a $100 bill (I actually asked for a $1000 bill for Christmas, but they were not invented back then).  The grand kids loved getting Nana made blankets and sweaters for Christmas.  Did I mention how crazy the Puusaari Christmas Parties were?  The WOMEN were the worst.  Our Mother would knit socks for the ladies.  Holy crap.  The ladies would friggen chase each other to get the best socks – man, wine would spill everywhere – I still have the stains to prove it.  And, you wouldn't believe the bruises that hand-made Finnish socks can make.  It's not a race.
            In closing, let's all remember something – Life is not a race.  Slow down and enjoy the moment with the ones you love.  Kids, pick up the phone and call your parents.  Ritva left behind 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.  She has left behind a great legacy of love, understanding and nourishment.  At this time we would like everyone to stand up, and help us perform Ritva's favourite song and dance.  (start music and then start dancing).

Nana,
You are and will always be the most amazing and inspiring woman that has ever touched my life!  I am so blessed to have spent so many amazing weekends with you and Stu throughout my childhood and always looked forward to your visits even though my Mom always made me clean the house like a crazy woman saying "Nana's coming, Nana's coming"....well now I clean my house like that and tell Ashton and Abby to clean the house when Nana and Grandma come over <3  I will love, miss and cherish you always, and carry the beauty, strength and courage you gave to me with honor for all of my days!  Rest well Nana - Love your eldest granddaughter ~ Sherry xoxoxo

Mom,
 You are the strongest woman that I have ever know. You came to Canada with 2 young sons and pregnant, not knowing how to speak English, but you did it, to make a better life for your ever growing family and I love you so much for being brave and giving me so much love and support. You were the one that kept our family together and look at us now, we are strong and we are a close family because of you. I love and miss you so much,
Your daughter, Sirpa

Sorry for the loss of your Mother, Ritva was a wonderful lady, and always could make me laugh, she will be missed deeply, my condolences go to all her children.

My thoughts are with all the Puusaari's
Love Evelyn Wahl

Deepest condolences to Strwart and all of the family.
Infond memory Ritva,
"En ole poissa vaan louksenne saavun.
Mukana jokaisen nousevan aamun.
Jokaisen illlan hämärän myötä toivotan teille hyvää yötä."

The siblingns from abroad

Thoughts and prayers are with you Stu.  We  will miss Ritva on our bus rides.  Your friends at First Student are keeping you in our thoughts,  Rest in peace Ritva.

Lämmin Osanottomme kaikille teille.  Ritva tädille hyvää matkaa ja Suuret kiitokset kaikesta ilosta jota saimme yhdessä kokea .Muistot onneksi jäävät elämään. Anu ja Kari

In addition to Ritva being a wonderful person she was also a talented knitter and the Green family benefited from her skill by receiving warm socks and slippers which were greatly appreciated. I enjoyed spending time with Ritva at our family gatherings. She will be missed. Love Helen G.

We are sorry on the loss of your mother. Our family sends their condolescences.
Many memories from years ago are remembered, such a beautiful collection of photos of your mother and family.


Sari Vandermeer (Jaatinen)

Our thoughts and prayers for you and your family Sirpa. If there is anything you need we are here for you at such a sad and difficult time.

In addition to being a wonderful person Ritva was a fabulous knitter and the Green family benefited from that talent by receiving warm socks and slippers which were greatly appreciated. I always enjoyed spending time with Ritva at our family gatherings. She will be missed. Love Helen G.

Our condolences go out to Stuart and all Ritva's children and grandchildren. We always enjoyed spending time with Ritva at our family events, she was quite a funny woman. She'll be missed. Lots of love, Sharon and Nicole Green.

We are going to miss you Ritva ,rest in peace. 
Stu , I'm deeply sorry about the passing of your wife . All my condoleances.
Claudette

Rest in peace mommy. 
I am going to miss our Wednesday night chats and that beautiful smile of yours.
Love, Sirpa
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Our thoughts are with you and your family during these difficult times.
Herman, Devyanie & Family

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Ritva Liisa Smitheram

6 octobre 1935 – 19 novembre 2014

Giffen-Mack Funeral Home & Cremation Centre

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