Zita Frances Gallant

Zita Frances Gallant (nee McGaugh)

March 26, 1935 - June 9, 2023

On the morning of June 9, 2023, Zita Gallant (nee McGaugh) passed away peacefully at the age of 88 at Toronto General Hospital.

Zita was born and raised on a farm in Bear River, PEI, and married her husband Gerard, also from Bear River, on April 25, 1955. Together they raised three daughters, Cindy, Judi and Jeannie. Gerard joined the Canadian Armed Forces and was posted briefly to CFB Gagetown, NB and then to CFB Petawawa, ON.

While in Petawawa, she began a lifelong career as a civilian employee of National Defence Canada. Working in the kitchen, she prepared and served meals to military personnel who were stationed there or visiting from bases around the world. With Gerard’s final posting to CFB Downsview in 1968 (and his subsequent death in 1989) she continued with civilian service until her retirement in 1995.

At home, she was often found in the kitchen baking everything from biscuits to date squares to all kinds of pies (her lemon meringue pie was a family favourite!) Her real passion though was adventure – travelling to exotic locales and engaging in parasailing, horseback riding, golfing, scuba diving - always keen to try something new. She loved music and would spontaneously break into dance to songs by artists ranging from Stompin’ Tom Connors, the Bee Gees, Bob Marley or 50 Cent, regardless of where she was. At the age of 70, she was even cast in a heavy metal music video!

A proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion, she was an avid darts player and won many tournaments. She remained active at her Glen Garden Senior Residence by arranging social events, contributing to their Gazette newsletter, learning tai chi, volunteering for the Poppy Fund for Veterans every year, contributing regularly as a Canadian Blood Services donor, tending to her rooftop garden and much more.

Following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, her final few years were spent at Belmont House where her creative and colourful sense of fashion, her endless curiosity and sense of service, and her vibrant energy continued to flourish under the compassionate care of the staff.

Pre-deceased by her husband Gerard and her siblings Tom, Margaret and Earl. Survived by her sister Sue Allen, daughters Cindy, Judi and Jeannie, grandchildren Tarah (Mario) and Tyler (Angela), great-grandchildren Reiley-Marie, Sinisha and Brielle, and her grand-animals Blueberry the Cat (Cindy) and Bella the Pug (Judi.) The world is a little less bright without her larger-than-life personality.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Belmont House, the Alzheimer Society or the Toronto Humane Society are appreciated.