Obituary of Rita Ryan

September 4, 1934 – December 31, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved sister and aunt Rita at the age of 89.  Dear daughter of the late William and Carmel Ryan and loved sister of Patrick (Madeleine), Rosaleen Anderson (late Jack), Eleanor Lecours (Peter) and Adele and predeceased by sisters Mary Stanton (late Ritchie) and Alice McGrath (late Desmond) and by brothers Bill (late Lois), (Doreen), Gervais (late Eleanor) and Emmett (Verna).  Dear friend of the late Joe Fitzpatrick. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

Rita trained as a nurse in Kingston, graduated in 1954, and worked for 40 years in Ottawa at the Civic Hospital and the Perley Hospital.  She was a woman of strong faith who embraced life fully with a love of travel, curling, bowling, golf, bridge, knitting as well as dressing and driving in only the brightest colours. Most of all she loved her large extended family and many, many friends.

In the last few months Rita’s health declined and she was cared for with much love by her dear niece Laura along with her husband Mike in their home along with visits by her many loved ones who helped make her final months a loving and peaceful time.  The entire family is deeply grateful to Laura and Mike, the ever-present angel sister Eleanor and nieces Alison, Julie, Margo, Carmel, Shauna, Kelly, Jennifer and great nieces Kayla and Alyssa who were able to provide additional support. 

Thank you to the Stittsville Villa for the loving home she had there for four years and the kind team who provided her care.  Sincere thanks to the many PSWs from Bayshore Health Care, RNs of St. Elizabeth Health who were part of the home team and then the caring staff at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice.  We are so grateful to Dr. Jennings who provided such compassionate and attentive care for Rita.   In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Hospice Care Ottawa would be appreciated.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass to be held on Thursday, January 4^th at St. Peter Celestine Church in Pakenham at 11:00 am

followed by a celebration of life in the Stewart Community Centre,112 MacFarlane Street, Pakenham.

Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home, Ottawa. Tel 613.233-1488