MORRISON, Rita

MORRISON, Rita (nee Rouleau) - In loving memory of Rita Morrison (nee Rouleau), 88 Years. Born January 27th, 1923 passed away Thursday, February 24th, 2011. Beloved wife of Donald Morrison Sr. Dear daughter of (Marie) Louise Lindsay (nee Boyer) (predeceased 1989) and Donat Rouleau (predeceased 1930), stepfather Hugh Lindsay (predeceased 1964). Dear sister of Lucy Davlut (husband, Carl, predeceased 2003), Roly Rouleau (predeceased 2009), (wife, Rita, predeceased 2009) and Richard Lindsay (predeceased 1960). Loving mother of Carol Luciw (husband, Don), Lynn Rivard, (husband, Louie), Donald Jr. Morrison, (partner Anne), Rodney Morrison, (predeceased 1982) and Kim Morrison. Cherished grandmother of Shawn, Sherry, Tim, Brenda (husband Bill McBay), Brent, (wife Lesley) and Corey. Great grandchildren Brannyn, Tyler, Madison and Brandon. Dear aunt of Rachelle, Diane, Curtis, Jeff, Jo-Anne and Gary. Rita was born and lived her early childhood in Blezard Valley, and her later childhood in the Flour Mill in Sudbury. She was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. She was bilingual (French) and attended Nolin School on Notre Dame. She lived in many different cities over her lifetime including London, Don Mills (Toronto), North Bay, and had lived in Sudbury since 1960. In her early years, she worked at Simpsons (Sears) in Toronto, and later at the Sudbury General hospital, as a switchboard operator. Rita was always a cheerful, loving, generous, and giving person, despite having lost her father at a very young age, her brother later in life, and her son, Rodney, in a tragic car accident in 1982. She always had a strong work ethic, and helped raise her siblings after her father died. She was a social, people-oriented person, with a good sense of humour, who was friends to many and had many loyal and wonderful friends herself, whom she enjoyed socializing with over the years. Rita loved to go to the cottage at Jocko Point on Lake Nipissing where she enjoyed vegetable gardening, picking raspberries, walking the dog, and entertaining family and friends, from the late 60's to present. She was adventurous, and not afraid to learn new things, and went back to school later in life to take up typing and interior decorating, among other things. She took great pride in her home at all times. Rita worked at Sears for 18 years in the ladies clothing department where she enjoyed the friendship of so many great co- workers and customers, until she retired in 1991. She loved to cook and could usually be found in the kitchen making one of her favourite dishes, or watching the food channel and reading cooking magazines for ideas. Despite her fear of water after a near- drowning incident in early childhood, she conquered that fear and learned how to swim later in life. Rita was very family oriented and spent a generous amount of her time and effort improving the lives of her children and treasured the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a great communicator, had a strong spirit, with boundless energy, was courageous and feisty when warranted, but soft and tender when the situation called for it. She loved animals, including horses, and owned many dogs over her life including Chippy, Magnum, Frosty the lab, and currently missed by Sandy the lab. She learned how to alpine ski in her late 50's and ventured to different areas to ski including Boyne, Michigan and Killington, Vermont. She enjoyed traveling all over the U.S. and Eastern Canada in various motor home RV's. Rita especially loved relaxing at her condominium on Pompano Beach in Florida during the winter months, where she spent so many sunny mornings picking shells along the oceanfront, and conversing with friends. She learned how to play golf later in life and loved to golf with her personal friends and those she knew from Sears on the region's golf courses. In the last months of her life, she accepted her terminal cancer diagnosis with grace and dignity, and, in congruence with her lifelong gracious and loving character, she was more worried about others who would be left behind after her passing than herself. She brought much joy, comfort, and love to all whom she came into contact and she will be dearly missed by her family, relatives, and dear friends. Rita was a member of the Sears golf club and Catholic Women's League (CWL) for many years. Memorial Visitation at the JACKSON AND BARNARD FUNERAL HOME 233 Larch St. Sudbury (Friends may call 2-5; 7-9 P.M. MONDAY) Parish Prayers 7:30 P.M. MONDAY Funeral Mass in St. Andrew the Apostle Church 1250 Barrydowne Road, Sudbury TUESDAY, March 1st, 2011 at 10 A.M. Cremation with entombment in the Civic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Northeastern Regional Cancer Centre, or a favourite charity would be appreciated. To light a memorial candle, donations or messages of condolences available on-line at www.lougheed.org