Rita Bernadette Abele

ABELE, Rita Bernadette (née Royer) - Rita passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at the Cornwall Community Hospital with her loving family by her side. Rita Abele, a native of Cornwall, ON, was 81 years old. She was a 30 year employee of Bell Canada, 1963-1993. She was married 60 years to the love of her life, Gerhard “Gerry” Abele. Loving mother of Esther Abele Filion (Ray) of Cornwall, Eduard Abele (Diane) of Carleton Place, Erika Reynolds (Wally) of Gananoque, and Ellen Fuller (Donald) of Philadelphia, NY. Proud grandmother of Robine, Robbie, Melanie, Lisa, Bradly, Rebecca, Philip, Matthew, April, Hope, Paige, Adam, Desiree, Samantha, Savannah, and great grandmother of seventeen. Dear daughter of the late Philippe Royer and the late Bernadette Boucher. Predeceased by her brother Roger Royer and her sister Rhea Ashley.

Rita was a member of the Bell Pioneers and the proud wife of a Shriner. In her free time, she enjoyed sewing, knitting, reading, watching soap operas, and spoiling dogs. Some of her other favourite activities were camping, motorcycling, golfing, playing cards, bowling, shopping, playing the keyboard, and going to church.

Rita was very competitive throughout her life often proving her strength by participating in non-traditional activities for women from her generation. She took classes in welding and auto mechanics. When her husband bought a motorcycle, she too bought one and learned how to ride. Her perseverance and faith in God helped her through the multiple health issues she endured throughout her life. Her greatest strength was her love for her husband and her family. She looked forward to any occasion or celebration that brought her family together. She diligently put together bags of candy for each member of the family, young and old, for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. Needless to say, she loved candy and had secret stashes of it hidden all over the house.

The wake will be held at Lahaie & Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Homes, West Branch, 20 Seventh Street West (613) 932-8482 Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., as well as, Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral. The funeral and mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday August 28, 2017 at St. Francis de Sales Church at 11:00 a.m. followed by cremation. As expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation or the Shriners Children’s Hospital. Messages of condolences may be left at www.lahaiesullivan.ca. Rita will be sadly missed by her husband, family, and friends.