Rita Mae Roberts

With deep love and heartfelt gratitude, we remember and celebrate the life of Rita Mae Cluett, who passed away on May 30th, 2025. Rita loved life and it loved her back.

There’s so much we could say about Rita, firstly we thank her—for being unapologetically, beautifully her. She was ours, and we loved her to forever and back.

In her early years, Rita was the big sister to the Cluett boys, and what a role she played. The boys adored her, and she returned their love tenfold. She was strong, spirited, and full of heart—working for Maritime Tele, a hockey player, a sorority sister, and a vibrant young woman.

In 1958, Rita married her great love, Rob (Howie), and the real adventure began—from Winnipeg to Europe, to ten special years in the Valley, and finally home to Dartmouth, where her heart truly belonged. Rita was a keeper of stories and history, especially those of her beloved Dartmouth, where she could tell tales for hours about growing up in the community she cherished.

Rita touched many lives as a preschool teacher at Colby Village Preschool. She was the teacher every child loved—full of energy, warmth, patience, and that special spark that made learning magical. Her classroom always had a pet, her unique way of reaching little hearts and making every child feel special.

She was remarkably smart—a former librarian, a lover of books, puzzles, crosswords, and daily Lexicon challenges (which she nearly always finished!). She could speak on almost any topic, and her quiet wit and quick comebacks kept us smiling. She especially loved to listen—whether it was her brothers teasing each other, the laughter of her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, or the voices of Steve and Michele calling to say hello.

We are endlessly grateful for all that Rita gave us—for holding the family together through every high and low, for being our rock, our cheerleader, our voice of reason, and our warmest hug. She was grace and strength all in one: a beautiful soul, an elegant and honorable Nana, Mom, Nana, Great Nana, Auntie, Sister, and friend.

Rita leaves behind her loving son Steven (Anne), their children Kelsey (Marc), Shaun (Tori), and Marc (Christine); her daughter Michele (James); her dear brother David (Joan); sisters-in-law Gail (George) and Lynn (Ray); many cherished nieces and nephews; and her treasured great-grandsons: River, Jet, Arthur, Haze, and Howie.

We extend our deepest thanks to the earth angels at the Halifax Infirmary who cared for Rita with such compassion and love. Your care made all the difference. Huge thanks to her friends at Woodbury Villa whose friendship meant so much.

A celebration of Rita’s life will be held in the summer of 2026, when her immediate family can gather. The date and time will be announced in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s memory can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Cards may be sent to Michele at 35 Canopy Lane, Lake Echo, B3E 1A5