Rita Thérése Gordon

 On March 9th, in the early afternoon, Rita Gordon, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully with her family by her side after a courageous battle with cancer. Rita leaves behind the love of her life, her husband Sidney, her children Yves and Mua, Sylvie and Aleki and her grandchildren Marseu (Jena), Sosefo, Lina, Savea, Pesila (Tyler), Luc, Nikki, Claire and Trent. She leaves to mourn as well, her prairie family Glen (Valerie), Bill (Marie), Wes (Dave) Peggy, Sylvia and Sue and their children and her famille au Quebec, sisters Nicole (Luc), Jacqueline (Denis) and Lucie and brother Gilles (Claire) and their families. Rita was predeceased by her parents Ernest and Suzanne Pageau, Charlie and Monica Gordon, Barry Hood, Margaret Hood, Rae Taylor and her older brother Yves Pageau.

Rita was born and raised in the tiny community of La Pocatiere, Quebec on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. In school, she was a hard-working, bright student. So much so that, when she was finishing high school, she was asked by the nuns in her church if she would consider becoming a nun herself. Luckily for her husband and children, this was not in her plans and instead, after school, she obtained her R.N. nursing degree and began her healthcare career in the community of James Bay in northern Quebec. It was during this time in her life that she met her future husband, an adventurous prairie boy who was also working up north. On fishing trips, paddling the rivers, picnics by the lakes and under the canopy of the northern lights, Sidney and Rita fell in love despite not even being able to speak the same language. Sidney knew from the moment he laid eyes on her, that this beautiful French girl with dark sparkling eyes would be his wife and he set out his signature no-fail spirit to make that happen. Rita and Sidney’s wedding was celebrated with their northern Indigenous friends, some of whom helped Sidney to set up a tipi beside a lake in the wilderness, where he and his bride paddled to their honeymoon. The tipi setting must have been successful in terms of setting the stage for romance, for 9 months later, their son Yves was born. Sylvie, their daughter, joined just a year later. Rita’s time spent up north were some of her most cherished memories.

After a few years, the family farm at home was calling and Rita and Sidney made their home on the farm in Langford. Rita was quick to learn everything she could about her new home and culture. For the first few years, she had to adapt to a new language and no running water! She became an expert gardener and canner, preserving jars of pickles and storing fresh vegetables for winter in the root cellar. She learned to raise chickens, pigs and cattle and her nursing skills were often called to the test to administer medications to her animals. Rita would make jellies from crabapples, jam from raspberries and gather wild sage to flavor her meals. Rita was forever grateful to Sid’s mom and dad, his sisters and brothers, her sisters-in-law and her kind neighbors who helped her to adjust and learn to adapt to prairie life.

Despite her busy and fulfilling life at home, nursing still called out to Rita. She went back to university to get her B.N., studying full-time and being a full-time mother! Upon completion of her degree, she became a well-loved and respected public health nurse in the Neepawa area. Her favorite part of her job was doing home baby visits to new mothers to make sure everything was going well in their new parenting journey. Even when she wasn’t officially nursing, Rita’s phone would often ring from family and neighbors for medical advice-a testimony to the respect people had for her knowledge and her willingness to always help when needed.

Despite her love for nursing, Rita’s greatest joy in life was being a wife, mother and grandmother. Always giving of herself, Rita would do anything to make a loved one’s day just a little brighter. Her expert cooking skills lent themselves to many a family meal of laughter and storytelling. She faithfully cooked her signature birthday cake at every grandchild’s birthday and delighted in singing and playing games to celebrate the Christmas season. She could always be counted on to lend a cheer at hockey games or drive hours to listen to her grandchildrens’ 4-H speeches. She spread her love of music to her grandchildren and loved to go see their performances in school productions, choirs and piano recitals. Sidney and Rita spent years enjoying their cabin at Clear Lake, walks in the wilderness and picnics on the shores of Lake Kinosao. 

Though our hearts are heavy with the loss of mom and grandma, we take comfort that the gifts she gave us will come alive in each of our stories- her warmth, caring, selflessness and love did not leave us and will find their way woven into the threads of our lives. So mom, we will do our best, taking one day at a time, just like you always said, and hold everything you were close to our hearts. We will love you forever. 

The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to the nurses and doctors who attended to Rita during her stay in the Neepawa Hospital, Dr. Tariq for his dedicated care as her family physician and Dr. Poettcker and Cancer Care who helped Rita receive the best treatment she could. A special thank you to Father Mark and Sister Aline Comeau for their prayers during Rita’s final days. Thank you to all who have reached out with condolences. Every message, card and hug was treasured. A private family celebration of Rita’s will take place on August 4th. If so desired, donations can be sent to the palliative care ward of the Neepawa Hospital.

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