BOYD,
Rita Edna Grace
(nee Temple)
January 4, 1928 –
December 28, 2006
With her loving family at her side, at Yucalta Lodge, after nine years of being tormented by the disease of Lewy Body Dementia (a form of Alzheimers), Rita Boyd is now at peace and is looking down on all of us with her special smile.
Predeceased by Walter, her devoted husband of 49 years, she leaves to mourn her daughter Leanne, son Patrick (Jeanette), daughter Kathleen Barrett (Harry) and her most precious granddaughters, Nicole and Karianne who she will watch over forever. She is also survived by adopted daughters, Jacqueline and Jacquie, several nieces and nephews, and life-long friends. Rita was predeceased by her parents, John and Zita Temple, her brothers, Albert, Wilfred and Victor, and her sister, Alice.
Rita was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and in 2000, moved to Campbell River to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. Rita was a person who was always involved in caring for others, especially her family. Music was mom’s universal language – singing, playing instruments, dancing – always, and to the last minutes to her life on earth, a source of great peace and joy.Â
 Rita was a devout Catholic and was involved with the various Catholic churches in her community, especially Blessed John XXIII and spent numerous volunteer hours working for various charities and community causes. She loved all sports, especially golf, curling, swimming, dancing and long distance running. Rita’s favourite job was looking after her family, but she also worked in the university and business sectors.
Despite the ongoing ravages of the disease, Rita always had a smile and a cheery word for everyone. We will always remember her kindness and her wonderful laugh.
Rita and the family will always be grateful to the many special angels who helped to make her last years happier and more fulfilling. We thank Mom’s caregivers over these many years: Karen Spindor who was Mom’s primary caregiver for the past six years and who Mom adopted as her daughter, and Karen’s children - Nicholas, Victoria, and Vanessa who adopted Mom into their family – there are no words to describe our love and gratitude to Karen for all that she has done. We thank Pam Geary for her love, her patient and gentle nature, and her common sense. We thank Deirdre Hartwell for her love, her music and her infectious joy of life.
We thank Josie Cullen for bringing fun and laughter into Mom’s shrinking world; Adele Halowaty for her support and for always being there; Father Bill MacDonald for his spiritual support over the years; Drs. Sutherland and Deans for their attention and respectful care as the disease progressed; Dr. Josh West for his expertise in relieving Rita’s back pain and Yvon, Harry and Linda – mom’s special neighbours in Coastal Cottage.
We thank the many caring and dedicated professionals at Yucalta Lodge for their loving care of Rita over the past four years. Rita came to regard many of you as her family and appreciated your compassion and kindness.Â
As Rita’s family, we sincerely thank you all for your expertise, your dedication and mostly for seeing the person, and not the patient.
We love you all and we thank you.
Father Bill MacDonald celebrated a Roman Catholic mass on Saturday, December 30, 2006 at Yucalta Lodge. A Celebration of Rita’s life will be said by Monsignor Chartrand at Blessed John XXIII on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. (3390 Portage Avenue) in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in Rita’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or Yucalta Lodge, 555 Second Avenue, Campbell River, B.C. V9W 3V1.
Finally reunited with her childhood sweetheart and husband Walter, may our dear Mom and Didi rest in peace forever.
ISLAND FUNERAL SERVICES/ELK FALLS CREMATORIUM CAMPBELL RIVER, entrusted with arrangements.
ISLAND FUNERAL SERVICES
& ELK FALLS CREMATORIUM
and Memorial Chapel
#103-909 Island Highway
287-3366